Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto also hopes that the acquisition of new defense equipment from France will increase Indonesia's defense capabilities through Transfer of Technology and joint venture activities. In the context of implementing defense industry cooperation, Indonesia and France have signed several MoUs on 10 February 2022 in Jakarta. (Bureau of Public Relations of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense)
Indonesia bought dozen of French Fighter Jet “Rafale”
Indonesia has agreed to purchase 42 generation 4.5 Rafale fighter jets from France through the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.
The initial progress of the procurement of fighter jets from the Dassault Avation manufacturer was by acquiring six units on the initial contract. Meanwhile, another 36 units are claimed to be following in the near future.
"We will acquire 42 Rafale aircraft. Starting today the first contract is for six aircraft, which will be followed in the near future for 36 aircraft with the support of weapons training and the required simulators," Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said after witnessing the signing of the contract with French Defense Minister Florence Parly at the Ministry of Defense, Jakarta, Thursday (10/2/2022).
Even though it has signed the contract, in fact Indonesia must be patient to be able to catch up with other countries that have already operated the Rafale. This is because the six planes in the new initial contract will be delivered in the next 56 months after the active signing of the contract.
"It's a long process. This means that when Prabowo is no longer the defense minister, this plane has become our defense force," said Prabowo's spokesperson, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Friday (11/2/2022).
The purchase of this aircraft is also urgent. Bearing in mind, the condition of the readiness of Indonesian combat aircraft has suffered setbacks in recent years.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense Marsdya Donny Ermawan Taufanto said that Indonesia currently only relies on 33 F-16 aircraft which are more than 30 years old.
Even though the delivery of the Rafale is still a long way off, the Indonesian Air Force has started to square off to prepare prospective pilots for the jet which has the ability to maneuver in the sharp uphill motion.
"We are preparing several pilots but we haven't determined the number yet," said KSAU Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo at MABES AU, Jakarta, Friday (4/3/2022)
