Indonesia Takes Delivery of First French-Made Rafale Fighter Jets

Why It Matters

The delivery accelerates Indonesia’s effort to replace aging US and Russian jets, enhancing air‑force capability while reinforcing a non‑aligned defence posture. It also deepens France‑Indonesia strategic ties amid regional security competition.

Key Takeaways

• Indonesia receives first three Rafale jets
• Deal totals $8.1 billion for 42 fighters
• Purchase diversifies fleet away from US/Russia
• France provides training simulators and infrastructure
• Fragmented procurement may raise logistics costs

Pulse Analysis

The arrival of the Rafale fleet signals a decisive step in Indonesia’s ambitious air‑force renewal. By securing a multi‑billion‑dollar deal with Dassault, Jakarta aims to replace legacy F‑16s and Sukhoi platforms that are nearing retirement. The French jets bring advanced avionics, multi‑role capability, and a robust support ecosystem, including a dedicated simulation centre that will accelerate pilot conversion and maintenance proficiency.

Beyond the aircraft themselves, the Rafale deal underscores a deepening defence partnership between France and Indonesia. Recent collaborations on Scorpène‑class submarines and Thales radar systems illustrate a broader French strategy to supply cutting‑edge technology while respecting Indonesia’s non‑aligned foreign policy. This alignment offers Jakarta a credible alternative to the traditional US‑Russia arms corridor, bolstering regional stability and providing diplomatic flexibility amid great‑power rivalry in Southeast Asia.

However, Indonesia’s eclectic procurement agenda—spanning Turkish KAAN jets, potential US F‑15EX purchases, and interest in Chinese J‑10s—poses logistical and interoperability challenges. Managing spare parts, training regimes, and maintenance across disparate platforms could inflate lifecycle costs and strain defence budgets. Analysts suggest that a more consolidated approach would improve sustainment efficiency, yet the current strategy reflects Jakarta’s desire to hedge geopolitical risks and secure the best technology from multiple sources.

Indonesia Takes Delivery of First French-made Rafale Fighter Jets

By Sebastian Strangio · January 27, 2026

Indonesia this week received three Rafale fighter jets from France, part of a multibillion‑dollar purchase that is intended to upgrade its ageing air fleet. The three aircraft arrived in the country on January 23 and are now stationed at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, on the western island of Sumatra, Defense Ministry spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait told Reuters yesterday.

“The aircraft have been handed over and are ready for use by the Indonesian Air Force,” he said, adding that an official handover ceremony would take place at a later date.

The three Rafale jets are the first portion of Indonesia’s $8.1 billion order for 42 new fighters from the French defence manufacturer Dassault, which are intended to modernise its air force. This currently includes a mix of U.S.–made F‑16 and Russian Sukhoi Su‑27 and Su‑30 jets, some of which are on the verge of retirement. Sirait said that more jets are expected to arrive later this year, although he did not say how many.

According to a report by Aerotime, the three jets are “intended to kick‑start the training pipeline for Indonesian Rafale crews and support the early build‑up of operational conversion for air‑force pilots.” Ahead of the first deliveries, Dassault Aviation handed over key infrastructure to support Rafale operations in Indonesia, including a dedicated simulation and training centre.

The Rafale purchase is part of a broader defence‑modernisation drive that was initiated by former President Joko Widodo and has since been accelerated by his defence minister and eventual successor, Prabowo Subianto, a former special‑forces commander.

France has been a key partner in this effort. In 2024, Indonesia finalised the purchase of two Scorpène‑class attack submarines from France’s Naval Group, which will be built in Indonesia at a shipyard run by the state‑owned firm PT PAL. The country has also announced the purchase of 13 long‑range air‑surveillance radars from France’s Thales Group, and is reportedly interested in purchasing French light frigates.

France clearly appeals to Indonesia for its ability to offer cutting‑edge military technology while allowing the country to maintain its non‑aligned foreign policy. This aims to maintain good relations with both China and the United States while avoiding over‑dependence on either power, especially in terms of security.

During President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Indonesia last May, Prabowo described France as “one of Indonesia’s main partners in modernising defence equipment” and said the two nations’ defence ties reflected “a joint commitment to maintaining regional stability.” Macron said that Indonesia’s military purchases, along with the joint drills between the two nations, underscored “an ever‑increasing closeness between the soldiers of our armed forces.” The French and Indonesian defence ministers also signed a letter of intent for future arms deals.

In terms of its jet‑fighter fleet, the Rafale purchase is not the only deal on Jakarta’s radar. Last July, the government signed a contract to buy 48 fifth‑generation KAAN fighter jets from Türkiye. In addition to these, Indonesia has also expressed interest in U.S.–made F‑15EX Eagle II jets and China’s J‑10 fighter. In early 2025, the defence‑industry publication Alert 5 reported that the country might also proceed with a stalled purchase of Russian Su‑35s, which was abandoned in late 2021 due to concerns about U.S. sanctions. While all of these deals are unlikely to eventuate, some observers have warned that the fragmented procurement strategy could create long‑term complications in terms of logistics and maintenance costs.