Indonesia has formally taken delivery of its first three Rafale fighter jets, marking a significant milestone in Jakarta’s long-running effort to modernise its air force and diversify defence partnerships amid rising strategic uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific.
The aircraft arrived in Indonesia on Friday and are currently stationed at a military airbase in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province on the island of Sumatra, according to defence ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait. Speaking on Monday, he said the arrival of the jets was part of the implementation of a multibillion-dollar procurement agreement signed with France in 2022.
“The arrival of these Rafale aircraft is an important part of the modernisation of the Indonesian Air Force’s defence equipment,” Rico said, adding that the jets were “ready for use” after the completion of administrative and technical handover procedures.
The delivery is the first tangible outcome of an $8.1 billion deal agreed under then defence minister Prabowo Subianto, now Indonesia’s president, for the purchase of 42 Rafale multirole fighters from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation. Under the contract, deliveries are scheduled to be phased over several years, gradually replacing ageing platforms in Indonesia’s combat fleet.
For Indonesia, the Rafale acquisition represents more than a routine hardware upgrade. The Southeast Asian nation has long sought to balance its defence relationships between major powers while strengthening its ability to patrol vast maritime and airspace domains. The Rafale, a twin-engine, omnirole fighter capable of air superiority, deep strike, reconnaissance and nuclear deterrence missions, significantly enhances the Indonesian Air Force’s operational flexibility.
French officials have framed the deal as evidence of deepening strategic ties between Paris and Jakarta. During President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Indonesia last year, France’s then armed forces minister Sébastien Lecornu said Jakarta had signed a letter of intent to acquire additional Rafale jets, though no figures or delivery timeline were disclosed. The announcement fuelled speculation that Indonesia could expand its Rafale fleet beyond the initial 42 aircraft, depending on budgetary and operational considerations.
Indonesia’s decision to invest heavily in French combat aircraft comes at a time when Rafale sales are gaining momentum globally, driven in part by heightened security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. France has positioned the Rafale as a flagship export product, combining advanced sensors, network-centric warfare capabilities and a high degree of customisation for client air forces.
That push has been most visible in Europe’s support for Ukraine. In November last year, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a pact outlining a pathway for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets along with associated weapons and support systems. The agreement, described as a letter of intent, envisages deliveries over a 10-year horizon, with production of drones and interceptors expected to begin earlier.
Macron acknowledged that the agreement was signed at a “difficult moment” in the war, accusing Russia of deliberately prolonging and intensifying the conflict. While expressing hope that peace could be achieved before the end of his term in 2027, he stressed that Ukraine would need a regenerated and capable military to deter any future aggression. Zelensky hailed the understanding as “historic”, noting that while France has already supplied Mirage fighters, this marked the first promise of its most advanced combat aircraft.
Beyond Europe and Southeast Asia, India is also emerging as a central player in the expanding Rafale ecosystem. The Indian Air Force is preparing to acquire 114 additional Rafale jets under its long-delayed Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, aimed at addressing a critical shortfall in combat squadrons. The IAF has also indicated interest in inducting two to three squadrons of a stealth fighter to complement its existing fleet.
In April 2025, India and France signed an inter-governmental agreement for 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the Indian Navy, valued at around $7.6 billion. Designed for carrier operations, the Rafale-M shares about 95 per cent commonality with the IAF’s Rafales, offering a high degree of interoperability across services and reducing logistical and training costs.
However, the aircraft’s growing prominence has also drawn scrutiny. During India’s brief four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025, the IAF reportedly lost a Rafale due to a high-altitude technical glitch. Pakistan claimed it had shot down multiple Rafales during the clash, though it presented no verifiable evidence. Despite the lack of proof, the claims were amplified by Chinese state-linked media, which sought to promote Beijing’s J-10C fighter jets—operated by Pakistan—as having outperformed the French aircraft.
Analysts noted that such information warfare underscores how modern combat aircraft have become symbols of national prestige as much as military capability. For France, successful deployments and satisfied customers are crucial to sustaining the Rafale’s export momentum.
Against this backdrop, Indonesia’s receipt of its first Rafales is being closely watched across the region. As geopolitical competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, Jakarta’s investment signals a determination to maintain credible air power while keeping its strategic options open. The arrival of the jets in Pekanbaru is only the beginning of a long integration process, but it already marks a new chapter in Indonesia’s defence modernisation and in France’s expanding role as a key arms supplier beyond Europe.
