Latest news with #J10
NHK
a day ago
- Business
- NHK
China shows off homemade fighters at Paris Air Show
China is showcasing its homemade warplanes at one of the world's largest air shows in Paris. Companies and other organizations from China, as well as 47 other countries and territories, are taking part. A total of 76 entities from China are participating this year. That's more than twice the number that took part in the previous show in 2023. They are apparently taking the opportunity to increase China's presence in the weapons export market. Among the aircraft they are exhibiting are the J-10 fighter and the J-35, the country's latest stealth fighter jet. China exports its J-10 fighter to Pakistan. The Pakistani military claims that the aircraft last month shot down French-made Rafale fighters deployed by the Indian military. Chinese media have been touting the alleged incident as a sign of the advancement of the country's military technology. As for China's displays at the air show, a senior official of a development firm was quoted as saying that China's aviation industry has transformed from a follower to a viable competitor. Representatives from the defense industry and others from many nations have been visiting China's displays and asking about the performance of Chinese fighters. A representative from the European aviation industry said China has a big business opportunity in the market and that the country has become a strong rival for them.
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Top 6 best vacuum cleaners for pet hair that you should consider for fur, dust and deep cleaning
There was a time when vacuuming meant dragging a bulky machine around the house, hoping it would pick up at least some of the fur your pet left behind. You would empty the bin only to realize half the hair was still clinging to the carpet or couch. Today the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair are built with that daily struggle in mind. They do more than just clean. They make the whole process feel less exhausting. If you share your home with a cat or dog, having a vacuum that actually keeps up can feel like a small win you did not know you needed. This vacuum cleaner keeps things simple while doing exactly what it's built for. With 1900 watt suction power and power cyclone 5 tech, it reaches deep into carpets and corners, pulling out the mess pets leave behind. Its compact body moves easily from room to room. It stands out for handling daily use in pet-heavy homes and quietly earns its spot among the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. Picks up pet fur quickly Doesn't feel bulky during cleaning No HEPA filter Cord length could be longer Philips PowerPro FC9352/01-Compact Bagless Vacuum Cleaner for Home |1900Watts for Powerful Suction |Compact and Lightweight| PowerCyclone 5 Technology and MultiClean Nozzle |2 Years Warranty What are buyers saying on Amazon? Picks up pet hair well and easy to empty after use. Why choose this product? If you want something that handles daily cleaning without slowing you down. This machine is built to handle serious cleaning without interruption. With no filters to wash and a 1.6 litre bin that empties in a single action, it's a smart pick for larger homes. The 22ft cord with automatic rewind gives more room to move without plugging and unplugging again. Its strong suction works well on both floors and furniture, especially where fur builds up. If your home includes a pet and a lot of space, this vacuum fits well into the category of best vacuum cleaners for pet hair by power, design, and convenience. Large bin means fewer emptying breaks Long cord with rewind adds flexibility Ideal for pet hair and multi-surface cleaning Slightly heavier body than others No HEPA filter Dyson Big Ball bagless Vacuum Cleaner | Indias only Vacuum Cleaner with 5 Year Warranty | No overheating | Whole-Home deep Cleaning | 1.6L Large bin and 22ft Long Cord with auto Cord rewinding What are buyers saying on Amazon? Excellent suction and handles pet fur without getting clogged. Why choose this product? It handles long cleaning sessions without stops. This cordless vacuum feels built for quick, focused cleaning. With 8K Pa suction and a folding tube that reaches under furniture and into corners, it's made for people who clean as they go. The 0.5 litre dustbin is easy to manage for daily use, and the four batteries offer enough charge to cover most flats or smaller homes. Its slim build makes it a good match for apartments with pets. For pet owners who want a lightweight machine that fits the pace of daily life, the J10 quietly fits into conversations around the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. Lightweight and cordless for easy handling Good battery life for quick cleaning rounds Not suited for heavy-duty messes Small bin needs frequent emptying DREAME J10 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, 8K Pa Powerful Suction, 4x2200 mAh Battery, 35 Minutes Running Time, Folding Tube for Corner Cleaning, 0.5 Litre What are buyers saying on Amazon? Easy to use daily and works well on pet fur in tight spots. Why choose this product? It makes its way among the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair by being simple, light, and pet-focused. STARQ Flexibend vacuum cleaner brings cleaning and grooming together in one device. It includes a dedicated pet grooming kit and a laser-guided brush that helps you clean precisely. With 28 KPa suction and a 400W motor, it manages fur pickup effectively while letting you track every spot through the touchscreen control panel. With thoughtful features made for cleanup around animals, it earns a place among the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair by focusing on both fur removal and convenience. Grooming tool pulls loose fur before it spreads Long run time for extended sessions Slight learning curve with new features Can be bulky for some grooming uses STARQ Flexibend Vacuum Cleaner with Pet Grooming Kit, Laser Guided Brush 400W Touchscreen & 28 Kpa Strong Cyclonic Suction, HEPA Filter Cordless Bagless & Rechargeable Upto 60min Runtime What are buyers saying on Amazon? Good for both pet grooming and fur cleanup. Why choose this product? It combines cleaning with pet grooming in one machine. Costar Cordless 3-in-1 gives you a lightweight vacuum setup with a 16 KPa suction power, which holds up well during quick pet hair pickups on floors and soft furniture. You also get a 40 minute runtime, enough to tackle fur from room to room in one go. If you're after something simple that pulls pet hair without extra effort, this unit makes a quiet case for itself among the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair built for smaller homes. Simple switch between stick and handheld Good suction for fur on hard floors and beds May not suit larger homes with heavy shedding Lacks smart mapping or advanced tech features COSTAR Cordless 3 in 1 Stick&Handheld Vacuum Cleaner 120W Brushless Motor 16 Kpa Strong Suction Power |40 Min Battery Rechargeable Hoseless | 11 Length Adjustable| Washable Filter | Multi Nozzle M5 What are buyers saying on Amazon? Works well for quick cleaning and light pet mess. Why choose this product? It covers basic daily cleanup without overcomplication. ECOVACS Deebot Y1 Pro brings deep cleaning to large homes without needing manual control. With 6500 Pa suction, a 5200 mAh battery, and advanced mapping, it covers up to 3500+ sq. ft. in one run. It runs for up to 330 minutes, making it a reliable option for uninterrupted cleanups across wide spaces. For anyone looking for less effort and consistent results, this robot easily earns its spot among the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair, especially in larger households. Covers large homes in one go Strong suction handles fur and dust Not built for high-pile carpets Takes time to map the home correctly at first ECOVACS Deebot Y1 Pro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, 6500 Pa Powerful Suction, 5200 Mah Battery, Covers 3500+ Sq. Ft. in One Charge, Advanced Navigation Technology & True Mapping, 330 Minutes Run-Time What are buyers saying on Amazon? Good suction and covers the entire house without getting stuck. Why choose this product? It runs long and cleans wide spaces in a single charge. Not necessarily. While higher suction helps, the nozzle design, brush type, and airflow system matter just as much. A vacuum with 6500 Pa suction but poor hair pickup tools may still underperform compared to one with 4000 Pa and a motorized brush head. HEPA filters trap microscopic allergens like pet dander, hair fragments, and dust mites. This prevents them from being released back into the air, making them especially useful for allergy-prone households. Yes, if it has strong suction (above 3000 Pa), a brush roll, and smart navigation. However, robot vacuums tend to work best on hard floors and low-pile carpets. For deeper rugs, a stick or upright vacuum may still be needed occasionally. • Suction strength: Look for higher suction power measured in Pa or watts. It helps pull out fur deeply embedded in carpets and upholstery. • Brush type: A motorised brush roll or anti-tangle design is better at lifting hair without getting clogged. • Filtration system: HEPA filters are useful for trapping pet dander and allergens, especially in homes with sensitive noses. • Bin size and ease of cleaning: Pet hair fills up bins fast. Choose a vacuum with a dustbin that's easy to remove and clean. • Surface compatibility: Make sure it works well across both hard floors and soft surfaces where pet hair tends to stick. • Noise level: Quieter vacuums are helpful if your pet is easily startled by loud machines. • Corded vs cordless: Cordless gives flexibility. Corded usually gives more power and longer cleaning sessions. • Attachments and tools: Look for extras like crevice tools, mini brushes or pet grooming kits to cover different areas of the house. • Weight and handling: A lightweight vacuum is easier to carry around during frequent cleanups. • Battery life (for cordless models): At least 30 minutes of runtime is helpful for covering larger spaces in one go. 10 vacuum cleaners in 2025 that we recommend for your home: Stay clean and dust free with ease World Environment Day 2025: Why vacuum cleaners are more than just cleaning Are you confused about which vacuum cleaner to buy? This comprehensive buying guide will help you pick the right one Best vacuum cleaner for car: Top 10 picks for pristine interiors and effortless cleaning Strong suction, a motorised brush, and HEPA filters help clean fur and dander effectively. Yes, especially models with over 3000 Pa suction and tangle-free brush rolls. It's highly recommended if you or someone at home has allergies. Most work on hard floors, carpets, sofas, and pet beds if they have the right attachments. They're easier to empty, but make sure the bin doesn't clog easily with fur. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
CNA
13-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Indonesia's multi-nation fighter jet fleet may expand with China's cheaper J-10s, but what price might it pay?
JAKARTA: Indonesia could become the only country outside China and Pakistan to operate the Chinese J-10 fighter jets if it takes up a sales offer from Beijing, but analysts say it's a decision that the Southeast Asian nation should weigh carefully. They add that the deal could jeopardise Indonesia's neutrality and credibility over the South China Sea issue, trigger an arms race in the region, and risk its airforce's operational readiness, with one observer warning that it could serve China's long-term strategic goals more than Indonesia's own interests. Earlier this month, media reports confirmed that China offered to sell its J-10 fighter jets to Jakarta, citing remarks from Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto. Interests in purchasing the Chinese planes intensified after reports that a J-10 flown by Pakistan shot down multiple jets operated by India last month, including newly-acquired French-made Rafale fighter jets. On May 30, Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced that Jakarta would be sending several military pilots to China 'for a J-10 fighter jet training' and visiting its production facility in Chengdu. The price may be J-10s' biggest selling point for Indonesia, particularly as the country is imposing a number of austerity measures to finance President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious programmes of providing free meals and affordable housing to millions of Indonesians. But the downsides may outweigh the benefits, analysts said, arguing that a closer military alignment with China is bound to provoke mixed reactions at home and abroad. 'Indonesia really needs to tread carefully and base its decision not just on short-term gains but how the decision might affect our long-term security interests,' Khairul Fahmi of the think-tank Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) told CNA. China has reportedly been persuading Southeast Asia's biggest economy to buy the jets numerous times. The latest was when the Indonesian Air Force chief of staff, Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono and other high-ranking officials visited the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai last November. 'At the airshow, (the Indonesian officials) saw the (J-10) planes and they were offered to buy them,' Donny, himself a retired air marshal, told reporters on Jun 4, as quoted by CNN Indonesia. 'This is a good plane, it meets the criteria we set and the price is cheap. So why not?' But striking such a deal with Beijing could affect Indonesia's ties with existing military partners as the majority of them view China as a threat to their security and stability, said experts. Beijing's encroachment of Indonesia's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea has fuelled anti-China sentiments back home. Jakarta has been looking to modernise its ageing military hardware in recent years as well as diversify its defence suppliers. In 2022, Indonesia purchased 42 Rafale jets for US$8.1 billion. The first six of these French jets are slated for delivery next year. Costing up to US$120 million for its most basic model, the Rafale is one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world. Meanwhile, the J-10, which like the Rafale is considered a 4.5-generation aircraft, is said to be priced at around US$40 million each. Both may cost more with optional extras such as training or infrastructure packages. Fighter jet generations are classed according to their capabilities, performance and year of development. Currently, fifth-generation fighters are the most technologically advanced jets. Indonesia currently has a total of 110 fighter planes made in various countries including the United States's F-16, Russia's Su-27 and Su-30, Brazil's EMB-314 Super Tucano and the United Kingdom's BAE Hawk 200. 'Indonesia has been seeking to diversify its fleet to reduce dependence on a particular country or bloc,' Beni Sukadis of the Jakarta-based think-tank, the Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), told CNA. It is also said to have inked a deal with Turkey to procure 48 KAAN fighter jets, developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in an X post on Wednesday (Jun 11). The deal is reportedly valued at more than US$10 billion and will span over the course of 10 years. It also includes the co-production of some KAAN jet components in Indonesia. Launched last year, the KAAN is considered a fifth-generation fighter jet. DRAWBACKS AND POTENTIAL BACKLASH So far, Indonesia has remained tight-lipped about its interests in the J-10, including whether it is eyeing brand new J-10Cs or a few of the J-10As which China's People's Liberation Army Air Force is looking to retire. The J-10 has three main models: J10A, B and C with the J-10A being the oldest and most basic and the J-10C being the latest and most advanced. All models have the same maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a range of 1,850km. The latest model however has more advanced radars, better stealth capabilities and other improvements. The jets involved in the Pakistan-India standoff were the export variant of the J-10C. Mach is used as a unit of measurement in stating the speed of a moving object in relation to the speed of sound. For some experts, the secrecy hinted that Indonesia is still unsure about the J-10's capabilities and took the Chinese jets' recent dogfight success with a grain of salt. 'There are many factors behind a dogfight victory: Technologies, battle strategies, pilot's abilities. So it is not just about what jet was used,' Khairul said. 'Indonesia never buys military equipment impulsively.' Experts say how well and how soon Indonesian pilots and ground crew familiarise themselves with Chinese-made military equipment could be a deal-breaker. 'France and the United States are NATO countries. Their military equipment follows NATO standards and more importantly, they are inter-operable,' Beni said. Inter-operability refers to how well equipment manufactured by different countries or companies communicate and work with each other, a crucial feature in areas such as healthcare, public safety and defence. 'Inter-operability also means that a pilot or a technician who is familiar with American jets will not have a hard time familiarising himself with one made by France or the United Kingdom,' Beni continued. 'Buying the J-10 means we will have to send pilots and technicians for training, spare parts will have to come from China and the J-10 might not work well with our radar or communication system which were made by NATO countries.' Security is another thing to consider, particularly as some countries are suspicious of Chinese technologies, believing that they might be designed to allow Beijing to launch cyberattacks or gather intelligence. '(Indonesia) may have close economic ties with China but we don't yet have a strong military relationship with China,' Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert from Padjadjaran University, told CNA. 'How well can we trust that China will not use this advanced technology to spy on us?' the expert asked. 'Can we trust the J-10 if we have to send one to the Natunas for example?' Teuku was referring to a chain of islands in Indonesia's Riau Islands province which borders the South China Sea. Beijing is laying claim to most of the South China Sea, prompting disputes and clashes with several Southeast Asian countries. Although Indonesia is not a claimant party in the dispute, China's 'nine-dash line' cuts into Indonesia's exclusive economic zones. REGIONAL STABILITY AT RISK For more than a decade, Indonesia has been championing ASEAN to formulate a code of conduct in the South China Sea. However, apparent divergence between countries with close military ties to China, such as Cambodia and Laos, and those without, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, has made reaching a consensus nearly impossible. 'Indonesia establishing close military ties with China would put into question Indonesia's neutrality and credibility in the South China Sea issue or other disputes involving China,' Teuku said. The international expert also cautioned the possibility of an arms race in the region. Since Indonesia purchased the 4.5-generation Rafale jets, Thailand has announced plans to buy 12 JAS-39E Gripens from Sweden's Saab over the next 10 years while the Philippines has signed a contract to purchase 12 FA-50 Golden Eagles from Korea Aerospace Industries. Like the Rafales, the Gripens is a 4.5-generation fighter jet while the FA-50 is a fourth-generation aircraft which puts it on par with the US F-16. Indonesia is also negotiating the purchase of 24 of the 4.5-generation F-15EX from the US. Its reported agreement with Turkey to purchase KAAN fifth-generation planes would make it the second country in ASEAN to have such advanced fighter jets. Singapore last year announced plans to acquire eight F-35A fighter aircraft, complementing the previously announced purchase of 12 F-35Bs. The US is limiting the sales of the F-35 to a few select countries while restricting the sales of the F-22 outside of the US. Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have had their request to buy the F-35 rejected on several occasions. Purchasing the J-10, experts say, might one day open the possibility for China to sell its fifth-generation fighters to Indonesia. China currently has two fifth-generation fighter jets: the Chengdu J-20 and the Shenyang J-35. SWEETENING THE DEAL With its comparatively cheap price, the J-10 should in theory be a hit to countries seeking affordable alternatives to Western or Russian jets. But despite being around since 2003, the J-10 is only operated in two countries: China and Pakistan, with the latter receiving their first batch in 2022. Experts say other countries may have their own security and diplomatic concerns. Even after the J-10s reported success in the Pakistan-India standoff, only a handful of countries like Egypt and Colombia are expressing interest in purchasing the Chinese jets. Indonesia – the world's fourth-most populous nation with strong diplomatic clout among developing countries across the globe – buying the J-10 could change all that, say experts. 'Just like China's profile in the transportation industry was lifted by the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project, Indonesia purchasing the Chinese J-10 would immediately boost China's profile as a global defence manufacturer,' Teuku, the international relations expert said. In 2023, Indonesia launched Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway, Whoosh, a joint venture between Indonesian and Chinese firms which was financed mainly by loans from the China Development Bank. Following Whoosh's success, several countries including Vietnam and Pakistan have announced interest in adopting Chinese technologies for their high-speed rail ambitions. To woo Indonesia, experts said China could sweeten the deal by agreeing to buy more Indonesian goods, an enticing proposition amid the threat of a tariff war initiated by US President Donald Trump. China might also offer joint manufacturing or assembly of the J-10, as it did with Pakistan, or promise more investment in other sectors. 'Prabowo realises that Indonesia needs Chinese investment which may ultimately compel him to go ahead with the purchase,' defence expert Beni said. The expert highlighted that during his campaign run last year, Prabowo promised to create 19 million jobs and grow the country's economy by eight per cent annually during his first term. In 2024, Chinese investment in Indonesia reached US$8.1 billion. China injected another US$1.8 billion into the country in the first quarter of 2025. Experts said the final decision will depend on what China has to offer and how much Jakarta is willing to risk in return. 'Only time will tell.'
CNA
13-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
As Indonesia mulls buying China's J-10 fighter jets, what factors weigh on its mind?
JAKARTA: Indonesia could become the only country outside China and Pakistan to operate the Chinese J-10 fighter jets if it takes up a sales offer from Beijing, but analysts say it's a decision that the Southeast Asian nation should weigh carefully. They add that the deal could jeopardise Indonesia's neutrality and credibility over the South China Sea issue, trigger an arms race in the region, and risk its airforce's operational readiness, with one observer warning that it could serve China's long-term strategic goals more than Indonesia's own interests. Earlier this month, media reports confirmed that China offered to sell its J-10 fighter jets to Jakarta, citing remarks from Deputy Defence Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto. Interests in purchasing the Chinese planes intensified after reports that a J-10 flown by Pakistan shot down multiple jets operated by India last month, including newly-acquired French-made Rafale fighter jets. On May 30, Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced that Jakarta would be sending several military pilots to China 'for a J-10 fighter jet training' and visiting its production facility in Chengdu. The price may be J-10s biggest selling point for Indonesia, particularly as the country is imposing a number of austerity measures to finance President Prabowo Subianto's ambitious programmes of providing free meals and affordable housing to millions of Indonesians. But the downsides may outweigh the benefits, analysts said, arguing that a closer military alignment with China is bound to provoke mixed reactions at home and abroad. 'Indonesia really needs to tread carefully and base its decision not just on short-term gains but how the decision might affect our long-term security interests,' Khairul Fahmi of the think-tank Institute for Security and Strategic Studies (ISESS) told CNA. China has reportedly been persuading Southeast Asia's biggest economy to buy the jets numerous times. The latest was when the Indonesian Air Force chief of staff, Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono and other high-ranking officials visited the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai last November. 'At the airshow, (the Indonesian officials) saw the (J-10) planes and they were offered to buy them,' Donny, himself a retired air marshal, told reporters on Jun 4, as quoted by CNN Indonesia. 'This is a good plane, it meets the criteria we set and the price is cheap. So why not?' But striking such a deal with Beijing could affect Indonesia's ties with existing military partners as the majority of them view China as a threat to their security and stability, said experts. Beijing's encroachment of Indonesia's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea has fuelled anti-China sentiments back home. Jakarta has been looking to modernise its ageing military hardware in recent years as well as diversify its defence suppliers. In 2022, Indonesia purchased 42 Rafale jets for US$8.1 billion. The first six of these French jets are slated for delivery next year. Costing up to US$120 million for its most basic model, the Rafale is one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world. Meanwhile, the J-10, which like the Rafale is considered a 4.5-generation aircraft, is said to be priced at around US$40 million each. Both may cost more with optional extras such as training or infrastructure packages. Fighter jet generations are classed according to their capabilities, performance and year of development. Currently, fifth-generation fighters are the most technologically advanced jets. Indonesia currently has a total of 110 fighter planes made in various countries including the United States's F-16, Russia's Su-27 and Su-30, Brazil's EMB-314 Super Tucano and the United Kingdom's BAE Hawk 200. 'Indonesia has been seeking to diversify its fleet to reduce dependence on a particular country or bloc,' Beni Sukadis of the Jakarta-based think-tank, the Indonesian Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi), told CNA. It is also said to have inked a deal with Turkey to procure 48 KAAN fighter jets, developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in an X post on Wednesday (Jun 11). The deal is reportedly valued at more than US$10 billion and will span over the course of 10 years. It also includes the co-production of some KAAN jet components in Indonesia. Launched last year, the KAAN is considered a fifth-generation fighter jet. DRAWBACKS AND POTENTIAL BACKLASH So far, Indonesia has remained tight-lipped about its interests in the J-10, including whether it is eyeing brand new J-10Cs or a few of the J-10As which China's People's Liberation Army Air Force is looking to retire. The J-10 has three main models: J10A, B and C with the J-10A being the oldest and most basic and the J-10C being the latest and most advanced. All models have the same maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a range of 1,850km. The latest model however has more advanced radars, better stealth capabilities and other improvements. The jets involved in the Pakistan-India standoff were the export variant of the J-10C. Mach is used as a unit of measurement in stating the speed of a moving object in relation to the speed of sound. For some experts, the secrecy hinted that Indonesia is still unsure about the J-10's capabilities and took the Chinese jets' recent dogfight success with a grain of salt. 'There are many factors behind a dogfight victory: Technologies, battle strategies, pilot's abilities. So it is not just about what jet was used,' Khairul said. 'Indonesia never buys military equipment impulsively.' Experts say how well and how soon Indonesian pilots and ground crew familiarise themselves with Chinese-made military equipment could be a deal-breaker. 'France and the United States are NATO countries. Their military equipment follows NATO standards and more importantly, they are inter-operable,' Beni said. Inter-operability refers to how well equipment manufactured by different countries or companies communicate and work with each other, a crucial feature in areas such as healthcare, public safety and defence. 'Inter-operability also means that a pilot or a technician who is familiar with American jets will not have a hard time familiarising himself with one made by France or the United Kingdom,' Beni continued. 'Buying the J-10 means we will have to send pilots and technicians for training, spare parts will have to come from China and the J-10 might not work well with our radar or communication system which were made by NATO countries.' Security is another thing to consider, particularly as some countries are suspicious of Chinese technologies, believing that they might be designed to allow Beijing to launch cyberattacks or gather intelligence. '(Indonesia) may have close economic ties with China but we don't yet have a strong military relationship with China,' Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert from Padjadjaran University, told CNA. 'How well can we trust that China will not use this advanced technology to spy on us?' the expert asked. 'Can we trust the J-10 if we have to send one to the Natunas for example?' Teuku was referring to a chain of islands in Indonesia's Riau Islands province which borders the South China Sea. Beijing is laying claim to most of the South China Sea, prompting disputes and clashes with several Southeast Asian countries. Although Indonesia is not a claimant party in the dispute, China's 'nine-dash line' cuts into Indonesia's exclusive economic zones. REGIONAL STABILITY AT RISK For more than a decade, Indonesia has been championing ASEAN to formulate a code of conduct in the South China Sea. However, apparent divergence between countries with close military ties to China, such as Cambodia and Laos, and those without, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, has made reaching a consensus nearly impossible. 'Indonesia establishing close military ties with China would put into question Indonesia's neutrality and credibility in the South China Sea issue or other disputes involving China,' Teuku said. The international expert also cautioned the possibility of an arms race in the region. Since Indonesia purchased the 4.5-generation Rafale jets, Thailand has announced plans to buy 12 JAS-39E Gripens from Sweden's Saab over the next 10 years while the Philippines has signed a contract to purchase 12 FA-50 Golden Eagles from Korea Aerospace Industries. Like the Rafales, the Gripens is a 4.5-generation fighter jet while the FA-50 is a fourth-generation aircraft which puts it on par with the US F-16. Indonesia is also negotiating the purchase of 24 of the 4.5-generation F-15EX from the US. Its reported agreement with Turkey to purchase KAAN fifth-generation planes would make it the second country in ASEAN to have such advanced fighter jets. Singapore last year announced plans to acquire eight F-35A fighter aircraft, complementing the previously announced purchase of 12 F-35Bs. The US is limiting the sales of the F-35 to a few select countries while restricting the sales of the F-22 outside of the US. Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have had their request to buy the F-35 rejected on several occasions. Purchasing the J-10, experts say, might one day open the possibility for China to sell its fifth-generation fighters to Indonesia. China currently has two fifth-generation fighter jets: the Chengdu J-20 and the Shenyang J-35. SWEETENING THE DEAL With its comparatively cheap price, the J-10 should in theory be a hit to countries seeking affordable alternatives to Western or Russian jets. But despite being around since 2003, the J-10 is only operated in two countries: China and Pakistan, with the latter receiving their first batch in 2022. Experts say other countries may have their own security and diplomatic concerns. Even after the J-10s reported success in the Pakistan-India standoff, only a handful of countries like Egypt and Colombia are expressing interest in purchasing the Chinese jets. Indonesia – the world's fourth-most populous nation with strong diplomatic clout among developing countries across the globe – buying the J-10 could change all that, say experts. 'Just like China's profile in the transportation industry was lifted by the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project, Indonesia purchasing the Chinese J-10 would immediately boost China's profile as a global defence manufacturer,' Teuku, the international relations expert said. In 2023, Indonesia launched Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway, Whoosh, a joint venture between Indonesian and Chinese firms which was financed mainly by loans from the China Development Bank. Following Whoosh's success, several countries including Vietnam and Pakistan have announced interest in adopting Chinese technologies for their high-speed rail ambitions. To woo Indonesia, experts said China could sweeten the deal by agreeing to buy more Indonesian goods, an enticing proposition amid the threat of a tariff war initiated by US President Donald Trump. China might also offer joint manufacturing or assembly of the J-10, as it did with Pakistan, or promise more investment in other sectors. 'Prabowo realises that Indonesia needs Chinese investment which may ultimately compel him to go ahead with the purchase,' defence expert Beni said. The expert highlighted that during his campaign run last year, Prabowo promised to create 19 million jobs and grow the country's economy by eight per cent annually during his first term. Chinese investments were also instrumental in Indonesia's ambition to become a key player in the electric vehicle battery industry. In 2024, Chinese investment in Indonesia reached US$8.1 billion. China injected another US$1.8 billion into the country in the first quarter of 2025. Experts said the final decision will depend on what China has to offer and how much Jakarta is willing to risk in return. 'Indonesia may ultimately buy a limited number of J-10s as a symbolic gesture of goodwill or it may politely decline and go with existing procurement paths,' Khairul of ISESS said. 'Only time will tell.'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Debt-laden Pakistan spikes defence budget by 20%
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Pakistan increased its defence outlay by 20% in the annual budget presented on Tuesday, even as the debt-laden country earmarked nearly half of the funds for interest comes close on the heels of significant damage to the country's airbases and air defence systems in the strikes carried out by India as part of Operation Sindoor last 47% of the $63 billion budget will go towards servicing debt, with defence being the second biggest head with an allocation of $9.17 billion or 14.5% of the total the Shehbaz Sharif government reduced overall projected expenditure in this budget, it increased the outlay on defence substantially. Despite the increase, Pakistan's defence budget is a fraction of India's defence spending, which has been pegged at more than $77 billion for this financial clearly spelled out in its economic survey report released on Monday, Pakistan is burdened with debt service payments, with China being the biggest single lender. China is also the largest supplier of weapons to Pakistan, with almost 80% of its arsenal originating from the recent conflict with India as well, the majority of weapons used by Pakistan, including HQ 9 surface-to-air missiles and J10 fighter jets, were acquired on lenient terms from China. Pakistan is expected to use a large part of its increased defence budget to purchase weapons from China, including replacements for destroyed air defence radars and launchers. It is also likely to incur costs to repair its airfields and other infrastructure that bore the brunt of the Indian missiles during Operation year, too, Pakistan had increased its defence budget significantly, by 16.4%, even as it was seeking a bailout deal from the International Monetary Fund to avert an economic Delhi: Pakistan increased its defence outlay by 20% in the annual budget presented on Tuesday, even as the debt-laden country earmarked nearly half of the funds for interest comes close on the heels of significant damage to the country's airbases and air defence systems in the strikes carried out by India as part of Operation Sindoor last 47% of the $63 billion budget will go towards servicing debt, with defence being the second biggest head with an allocation of $9.17 billion or 14.5% of the total the Shehbaz Sharif government reduced overall projected expenditure in this budget, it increased the outlay on defence substantially. Despite the increase, Pakistan's defence budget is a fraction of India's defence spending, which has been pegged at more than $77 billion for this financial clearly spelled out in its economic survey report released on Monday, Pakistan is burdened with debt service payments, with China being the biggest single lender. China is also the largest supplier of weapons to Pakistan, with almost 80% of its arsenal originating from the recent conflict with India as well, the majority of weapons used by Pakistan, including HQ 9 surface-to-air missiles and J10 fighter jets, were acquired on lenient terms from China. Pakistan is expected to use a large part of its increased defence budget to purchase weapons from China, including replacements for destroyed air defence radars and launchers. It is also likely to incur costs to repair its airfields and other infrastructure that bore the brunt of the Indian missiles during Operation year, too, Pakistan had increased its defence budget significantly, by 16.4%, even as it was seeking a bailout deal from the International Monetary Fund to avert an economic collapse.
