Minister of Defense Sjafrie Visits Islamabad, Indonesia Lyrics of J-17 Fighter Jet and Pakistani Drone

JF-17 Thunder fighter jet belonging to the Pakistan Air Force. (Wikimedia Commons/Asuspine)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is eyeing a potential deal that includes the sale of fighter jets and drones, as Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met with the Chief of the Pakistan Air Force in Islamabad, according to three security officials who were aware of the meeting on Monday.

One of the sources said the talks centered on the sale of the JF-17 jet, a multi-role fighter plane jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and drones designed for surveillance and attacking targets, Reuters reported (13/1).

Two other sources said the talks were at an advanced stage and involved more than 40 JF-17 jets. One of them said Indonesia was also interested in Pakistan's Shahpar drone.

The sources did not share any discussions about delivery schedules and the number of years the proposed deal would last.

Photo with the Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and the Pakistani Minister of Defense Production Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj and staff. (Instagram/kemhanri)

An additional security source familiar with the military procurement talks said Pakistan was discussing the sale of JF-17 Thunder jets, air defense systems, training for junior, mid-level and senior Indonesian Air Force officials, and engineering staff.

"The deal with Indonesia is in the process," retired Air Marshal Asim Suleiman, who remains informed about the air force deal, told Reuters, adding the number of JF-17 jets involved was approaching 40 units.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and the Pakistani military confirmed the meeting between Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and the Commander of the Pakistan Air Force, Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.

"The meeting focused on discussing defense cooperation in general, including strategic dialogue, strengthening communication between defense institutions, and mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities in various fields in the long term," said spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait to Reuters, adding that the talks have not resulted in concrete decisions.

The Pakistani military confirmed the meeting in a statement, saying the Indonesian Defense Minister met with the Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, Marshal Asim Munir, for talks "focused on mutually beneficial issues, the evolving regional and global security dynamics, and the exploration of ways to enhance bilateral defense cooperation".

Before meeting with the two Pakistani military officials, Defense Minister Sjafrie first held a courtesy meeting with the Pakistani Minister of Defense Production Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, discussing strengthening cooperation between Indonesia and Pakistan based on the Agreement on Cooperation Activities in the Field of Defense in 2010, quoted from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense website.

Last month, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a two-day visit to Pakistan to discuss improving bilateral relations, including defense.