Indonesia is set to significantly bolster its air defence with plans to acquire an additional 24 Rafale fighter jets from France.
The news was first reported by French daily La Tribune on 4 July 2025, ahead of President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations on 14 July.
This addition follows an initial agreement made in May 2025, in which Indonesia and France agreed on the purchase of 12 Rafale jets.
However, the latest developments reveal that the number has increased to 24 units as negotiations between the two countries have progressed.
The move is part of a broader long-term deal established in February 2022, when Indonesia agreed to procure a total of 42 Rafale jets in three phases.
With the latest addition, Indonesia’s total Rafale fleet will reach 66 units, making it one of the largest Rafale operators outside Europe.
According to Armyrecognition.com on Tuesday (8/7), the purchase cements Indonesia’s position as France’s key defence partner in Southeast Asia.
The jets Indonesia will acquire are the latest F4 variant, equipped with advanced radar systems, cutting-edge electronic warfare technology, and next-generation combat networking capabilities.
This will significantly enhance the Indonesian Air Force’s operational flexibility and combat strength in addressing threats both in the air and on the ground.
Amid rising regional geopolitical tensions, particularly in the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, strengthening the country’s air fleet has become vital.
Indonesia must safeguard its vast and strategically located airspace while responding to increased military activity from neighbouring countries.
The acquisition also addresses longstanding operational challenges arising from the diverse mix of Western and Russian aircraft currently in service, such as various F-16 variants and Sukhoi Su-27/30 jets, which have complicated maintenance and interoperability.
Indonesia’s defence partnership with France extends beyond fighter jets.
The country has also expressed strong interest in acquiring two Scorpène-class submarines and several CAESAR 155mm self-propelled artillery units.
All agreements include provisions for technology transfer and local industrial participation, aligning with Indonesia’s broader goal of strengthening its defence self-sufficiency.
President Prabowo’s attendance at the Bastille Day military parade is seen as both a symbolic gesture and a strategic move.
France regards Indonesia as a key partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy, while Indonesia views France as a reliable and advanced source of military technology.
Indonesia’s current combat aviation fleet reflects a mix of Western and Russian platforms, making standardization and maintenance increasingly difficult. The Air Force operates a total of four aircraft categorized under the FTR (Fighter) role: one F-16A, one F-16B, and two Su-27SK Flankers. For ground attack and multirole missions, it maintains 45 aircraft in the FGA (Fighter Ground Attack) category, including six F-16AMs, two F-16BMs, eighteen F-16C Block 25/32+, five F-16D Block 25/32+, three Su-27SKMs, and eleven Su-30MK2 Flanker Gs.
The integration of 66 Rafales will not only resolve operational fragmentation but will also bring the fleet in line with current generation standards in air combat and deterrence.
Indonesia will decommission the existing Russian-built air platform and replace it with the French and Turkish-built air combat platform.
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