Indonesia has officially received its first three Rafale fighter jets from France, marking the initial delivery under a multibillion-dollar defense agreement aimed at modernizing the country’s aging military fleet, according to confirmation from the Ministry of Defense cited by Reuters.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait stated that the aircraft were handed over and are now ready for operational use by the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), confirming Indonesia’s possession of the advanced jets following the US$8 billion deal signed in 2022 and expanded in 2024.
Sirait added that the three Rafales arrived on Friday and are currently stationed at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, Sumatra, with additional aircraft scheduled to be delivered later this year, although the exact number was not disclosed.
Indonesia has ordered up to 42 Rafale jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation, alongside French-built frigates and submarines, as Jakarta—France’s largest arms client in Southeast Asia—significantly increases defense spending under President Prabowo Subianto.
Beyond the Rafale program, Indonesia continues to explore other fighter options including China’s J-10, the U.S.-made F-15EX, and Turkey’s fifth-generation KAAN jet, while also holding discussions with Pakistan on potential combat aircraft and armed drone acquisitions, reflecting Jakarta’s broad push to strengthen air power.
