By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Indonesia’s defence minister met with Pakistan’s air force chief in Islamabad on Monday to explore a potential arms deal that could include the sale of dozens of combat jets and killer drones, signaling a push by both nations to bolster military cooperation, Reuters reported on Monday.
The talks, according to four security officials with knowledge of the discussions, centered on Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder jets, a multi-role fighter developed jointly with China, as well as Shahpar drones capable of surveillance and strikes. Two of them described the negotiations as being in an advanced stage, with Indonesia expressing interest in acquiring more than 40 JF-17s, along with air defence systems and training programs for air force personnel at various levels.
“The Indonesia deal is in the pipeline,” said Asim Suleiman, a retired air marshal who remains briefed on such matters. Indonesia’s Defence Ministry confirmed the meeting between Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, a retired lieutenant general, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu but offered a more general account. “The meeting focused on discussing general defence cooperation relations, including strategic dialogue, strengthening communication between defence institutions, and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields in the long term,” Brig. Gen. Rico Ricardo Sirait, the ministry’s spokesman, said in a statement. He said no concrete decisions had emerged yet.
Reuters reported that the discussions reflect Indonesia’s urgent efforts to modernize its aging air force fleet, which has prompted a flurry of international procurement deals in recent years. Jakarta ordered 42 French-made Rafale jets in a $8.1 billion agreement in 2022 and followed up last year with a commitment to buy 48 KAAN fighters from Turkey. Officials have also weighed purchases of China’s J-10 jets and are in negotiations for American F-15EX aircraft.
On the Pakistani side, the outreach underscores the growing ambitions of its defense industry, which has drawn increased attention since a brief but intense conflict with India last year. During that four-day clash between the nuclear-armed rivals, Pakistani forces downed several Indian jets, including Rafales, and used JF-17s armed with hypersonic missiles to destroy an S-400 air defense system in Adampur.
Interest in Pakistani hardware has surged internationally. Last week, Iraq’s air force commander, Lt. Gen. Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, met with Air Chief Marshal Sidhu and voiced enthusiasm for the JF-17 and the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, according to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations office. Earlier, Bangladesh’s air chief, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, held talks on procuring the JF-17.The fighter also stole the spotlight at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, where Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with an unnamed ally for its acquisition.
Sjamsoeddin also conferred with Pakistan’s chief of defense forces and army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at military headquarters in Rawalpindi. “The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation,” the Inter-Services Public Relations office said in a statement. “Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening institutional linkages, training collaboration and defence industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia.”
The Indonesian minister praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and their role in combating terrorism, while expressing a desire “to further expand defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains,” the statement said. Field Marshal Munir, in turn, affirmed Pakistan’s dedication to a “strong and enduring defence relationship with Indonesia, based on shared values, mutual respect, and convergence of strategic interests.”
At the air force headquarters, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu outlined Pakistan’s modernization initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades, enhanced training, and new capabilities for multi-domain operations. Sjamsoeddin commended the air force’s combat readiness and progress in indigenization through the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, signaling interest in deeper ties in training, aviation and aerospace. “The meeting reaffirmed the historic and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Indonesia and focused on strengthening bilateral air force cooperation, particularly in capacity building, training and technological collaboration,” the air force statement said. “The meeting reflected growing momentum in Pakistan-Indonesia defence ties and a shared resolve to deepen cooperation through sustained engagement and dialogue.”
The engagements follow a visit last month by Indonesia’s president, Prabowo Subianto, who spent two days in Pakistan discussing ways to strengthen relations. The leaders agreed to boost trade and expand partnerships in health, agriculture, information technology, science, education, and coordination on issues like the Palestinian conflict.
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