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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Indonesia weighs China's offer of battle-tested J-10 fighter jets
Indonesia said China has offered to sell it J-10 jets, the fighter aircraft that were recently battle-tested in Pakistan's clashes with India over Kashmir. The government is examining whether the planes widely used by China's air force meet operational requirements and can be integrated into Indonesia's existing systems, Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto said during a public discussion in Jakarta on Wednesday. He said that the jets were offered during a visit by Indonesian Air Force officials to China, but emphasized that the assessment remains preliminary and that Jakarta hasn't dispatched a team to conduct a technical evaluation or pursue the offer further. 'This is just an offer,' Taufanto said. Indonesia's consideration of the J-10 comes as military spending rises worldwide, driven in part by conflicts including Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The talks also highlight Jakarta's effort to diversify suppliers as part of its broader military modernization push under President Prabowo Subianto, a former general who has pledged to upgrade the country's air and naval capabilities while keeping Indonesia diplomatically neutral. The J-10, developed by Avic Chengdu Aircraft Co Ltd., is a single-engine, multirole fighter that saw action in the recent conflict between Pakistan, China's closest defense partner, and India. Islamabad inducted a fleet of J-10C jets in 2022, in what was seen as a response to India's acquisition of French Rafale aircraft — the same model Jakarta is procuring under a separate deal. Southeast Asia's largest economy has bought munitions and air surveillance systems from China in the past, but not jet fighters. A major arms purchase would mark a significant deepening of ties with Beijing, Indonesia's largest trading partner and a key source of foreign investment. Under Prabowo, Indonesia has been exploring various options for fighters from traditional defense partners and new countries alike. It has played a role in South Korea's development of the KF-21 supersonic jet, and in April Prabowo signaled that he was interested in Turkey's plan to develop a KAAN fifth generation fighter jet. Bloomberg News recently reported that Prabowo had instructed defense officials to considering reviving past plans to buy F-15EX jets from Boeing. Taufanto said Indonesia's approach to procurement reflects a pragmatic, non-aligned defense strategy, giving the country broad latitude to pursue military deals across a range of partners. 'If we find that the jet performs well, meets our criteria, and comes at a good price, why not?' he said, referring to the J-10. 'We're not bound by any alliance, so we can source weapons from any country, including China.' (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
NATO Ally Gains Ground With Stealth Jet Rivaling U.S.
Turkey's first homegrown fifth-generation fighter plane, KAAN, from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is generating increased global attention and buying interest, according to defense publications. Newsweek has reached out to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for comment. Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400s accelerated its drive for strategic autonomy and potential competition with the U.S.-made F-35 and F-22. Turkey is already becoming an increasingly important exporter of drones. Turkey's rising role, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, could change global defense dynamics. Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Indonesia have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet program, Mehmet Demiroglu, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said this week, according to the Bulgarian Military News. He added that the agreement phase has been reached with some countries, according to the Defense Mirror. According to TAI's website, KAAN achieves air superiority with long-range strikes, internal weapons, supersonic speed, and artificial intelligence enhanced combat power. It performed its maiden flight in February 2024. Demiroglu announced earlier this year that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet project. While Saudi Arabia may be looking to acquire 100 jets, the UAE's interest lies in the program itself, with potential for joint platform development, according to Forbes. The UAE's planned purchase of U.S.-made F-35s-following the signing of the Abraham Accords-was cancelled due to concerns about the UAE's military ties with China under the Biden administration. A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) also noted that the UAE has been a major recipient of Chinese arms exports. Saudi Arabia, still distant from normalizing ties with Israel, signed $142 billion arms during Trump's recent visit, but uncertainty over F-35s is driving it to seek alternatives to American defense reliance. "This shift is driven by complex political dynamics, especially with US restrictions on the sale of advanced fighters such as the F-35 and Washington's prioritization of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge," Ali Bakir, nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East programs, wrote in January. Although Trump's Gulf allies have recently secured more arms deals, the U.S. is not viewed as the sole supplier. Arms restrictions have pushed other traditional U.S. allies such as Egypt, which borders Israel, to look to China for advanced fighter jets. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet, as quoted by the Defense Mirror: "Saudi Arabia has been interested for a long time, their interest is at the highest level right now. the Indonesian side is also doing well." Turkey's new fighter aircraft aims at replacing the Turkish Air Force's aging F-16s starting in the 2030s. Related Articles Beach Clubs Offering First-Class Service, Food and ViewsTurkey's Erdogan Has Become One of World's Most Powerful Men-And Trump AllyNATO Issues Warning About Defense Spending Amid Threats from Russia, ChinaTrump: I'd Still Go to Turkey for Russia-Ukraine Talks if Appropriate 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
NATO Ally Gains Ground With Stealth Jet Rivaling U.S.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Turkey's first homegrown fifth-generation fighter plane, KAAN, from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), is generating increased global attention and buying interest, according to defense publications. Newsweek has reached out to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for comment. Why It Matters Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program in 2019 over its purchase of Russian S-400s accelerated its drive for strategic autonomy and potential competition with the U.S.-made F-35 and F-22. Turkey is already becoming an increasingly important exporter of drones. Turkey's rising role, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, could change global defense dynamics. Presentation ceremony of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN on May 1, 2023 in Ankara, Türkiye. Presentation ceremony of the National Combat Aircraft KAAN on May 1, 2023 in Ankara, Türkiye. Yavuz Ozden/What To Know Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Indonesia have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet program, Mehmet Demiroglu, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said this week, according to the Bulgarian Military News. He added that the agreement phase has been reached with some countries, according to the Defense Mirror. According to TAI's website, KAAN achieves air superiority with long-range strikes, internal weapons, supersonic speed, and artificial intelligence enhanced combat power. It performed its maiden flight in February 2024. KAAN (King of Kings), Türkiye's 5th generation stealth fighter jet, taking off for its maiden flight earlier today. — Clash Report (@clashreport) February 21, 2024 Demiroglu announced earlier this year that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown interest in the KAAN fighter jet project. While Saudi Arabia may be looking to acquire 100 jets, the UAE's interest lies in the program itself, with potential for joint platform development, according to Forbes. U.S. Curbs Alienate Allies The UAE's planned purchase of U.S.-made F-35s—following the signing of the Abraham Accords—was cancelled due to concerns about the UAE's military ties with China under the Biden administration. A recent report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) also noted that the UAE has been a major recipient of Chinese arms exports. Saudi Arabia, still distant from normalizing ties with Israel, signed $142 billion arms during Trump's recent visit, but uncertainty over F-35s is driving it to seek alternatives to American defense reliance. "This shift is driven by complex political dynamics, especially with US restrictions on the sale of advanced fighters such as the F-35 and Washington's prioritization of maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge," Ali Bakir, nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East programs, wrote in January. Although Trump's Gulf allies have recently secured more arms deals, the U.S. is not viewed as the sole supplier. Arms restrictions have pushed other traditional U.S. allies such as Egypt, which borders Israel, to look to China for advanced fighter jets. What People Are Saying Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) CEO Mehmet, as quoted by the Defense Mirror: "Saudi Arabia has been interested for a long time, their interest is at the highest level right now. the Indonesian side is also doing well." What Happens Next Turkey's new fighter aircraft aims at replacing the Turkish Air Force's aging F-16s starting in the 2030s.
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Pahalgam attack must elicit whole-of-nation response
The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, has sparked outrage and demands for a more decisive Indian response. Although the Indian government has taken diplomatic, economic, and strategic steps against Pakistan—such as banning imports, halting incoming mail and parcels, and denying docking rights to their ships—these actions fall short of a comprehensive response to the gravity of the provocation. What is now urgently required is a whole-of-nation strategy, one that involves not just the government but also businesses, civil society, and individual citizens. The inadequacies in the government's response have drawn criticism from national security experts and commentators; they have pointed out contradictions in the country's broader foreign and economic policies. While we have rightfully taken a hard line against Islamabad, our continued commercial and diplomatic engagement with Turkey—a nation that has deepened defence ties with Pakistan and consistently backs Islamabad on Kashmir—undermines our strategic objectives. Turkey's alignment with Pakistan is no longer subtle or symbolic. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Pakistan in February and reaffirmed Ankara's support for Pakistan's position on Kashmir, advocating for a UN resolution-based approach—language that aligns with Islamabad's narrative. Moreover, Turkey has become a key supplier of advanced weaponry to Pakistan, including Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones, and is partnering with them on the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet. Six Turkish military transport aircraft arrived in Pakistan delivering defence cargo, just days after the Pahalgam attack. Despite this, Indian carriers like IndiGo continue their lucrative codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, offering joint flights to over 30 destinations in Europe and the United States. According to recent reports, Turkish Airlines is gaining disproportionate economic benefits from this arrangement. Critics argue that such partnerships strengthen a country that openly aids Pakistan, both militarily and diplomatically. Sushant Sareen of the Observer Research Foundation was incensed: 'India is not a serious country... We feed snakes and then wonder why they bite us.' His remark points to a larger problem: India's lack of consistency between its national security priorities and its economic policies. In the wake of these developments, public voices are growing louder. Journalist Vikram Chandra questioned why Indians continue to use Istanbul as a transit point to Europe, noting that they should instead strengthen ties with Turkey's regional rivals like Greece. Former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal even suggested suspending all flights between India and Turkey, a sentiment echoed by many who believe that symbolic gestures alone are insufficient in times of national crisis. A robust response to the Pahalgam attack requires not only government action but also public participation. This means citizens should become more conscious of their choices—be it travel routes, products, or services that economically empower nations hostile to India's security interests. Indian businesses must also align with the national interest, reevaluating partnerships that indirectly support adversarial regimes. Ultimately, national security cannot be the responsibility of the government alone. A whole-of-nation approach, where policy, economy, diplomacy, and public behavior converge, is the only sustainable forward path. The attack in Pahalgam is not just a wake-up call; it is a test of India's resolve. To ensure such attacks do not repeat, people and the Centre must shed their ambivalence, enforce consistency in their international engagements, and harness a collective will and tenacity.
