Indonesia receives second batch of 18 Rafale jets from France

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News August 14, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Indonesia received the delivery of 18 Rafale multirole fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation under a contract signed earlier this year. The fighter jet would enter the service in Indonesian National Army Air Force in September this year.

Indonesia is on a path to modernize its air force by replacing its aging fleet of F-5 light combat aircraft. After narrowing the options for replacement down to the French-made Rafale jets, Jakarta pledged an $8.1 billion contract with Dassault Aviation in February 2022. Under the contract, Indonesia would acquire 42 jets in several phases.

Following the deal, Indonesia received six jets in September 2022 for $1.1 billion. The current batch of 18 Rafale jets is the second one of the wider deals and brings up the total number of jets to 22. Indonesia finalized the deal for the 18 jets in April 2023 for $2.3 billion. Indonesia can still buy 20 more Rafael jets from France in the coming years.

“This new step consolidates the beginning of a long-term partnership with the Indonesian authorities, whom I would like to thank once again for their confidence,” Eric Trappier, the Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation commented.

According to Dassault Aviation, Rafale is a unique asset that will ensure Indonesia’s sovereignty and operational independence and reinforce its role as a major regional power. “It bears witness to the strategic link that unites Indonesia to France, and will result in the growing presence of Dassault Aviation in the country,” Trappier added.

*^{A French Air Force Mirage 2000C during a Combat Patrol mission while participating in NATO Operation Allied Force. (Image Credit: USAF/Wikimedia Commons)}*

In addition, Indonesia is also set to receive 12 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar as an interim measure. The jets will serve in the Indonesian Air Force before the Southeast Asian nation can finalize the deal for its remaining 20 Rafale jets. The Indonesian Air Force currently maintains a fleet of different variants of 50 F-16 jets alongside approximately 10 Russian Su-27SKM and Su-30 fighters.

Dassault Rafale

Rafale is a twin-engine combat fighter jet designed to support naval and aerial operations. It features an array of high-performance laser warning receivers, missile warning systems, detection systems, and jammers.

Rafale can carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, ASRAAM and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, Apache missiles, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Its state-of-the-art cockpit is equipped with a wide-angle holographic display that provides pilots with aircraft control data, mission data, and firing cues. It also has an RBE2 passive electronically scanned radar from Thales to track up to eight targets simultaneously.

*^{French Air Force Rafales fitted with Mica missiles during the Opération Harmattan. (Image Credit: Dassault Aviation)}*

Despite tough competition with American and other European manufacturers, Rafale has made significant breakthroughs in the international market as its demand has increased in recent years.

Indonesia became one of the several international customers for the French-made Rafale jets in 2022. Around the same time, France also finalized a deal with Croatia for 12 Rafale fighters and the United Arab Emirates closed a deal with France to purchase 80 jets.

Egypt is also among the countries that have increased the use of Rafale jets in its air force fleet, while India, Qatar, Greece, Serbia, and Colombia are also negotiating terms to buy the new models of the Rafale fighter jets. Dassault Aviation has tripled the annual production of its Rafale aircraft duo to the increased demand globally.