The initial six aircraft were ordered in September 2022, followed by the second batch of 18 jets in August 2023. This purchase is a key component of Indonesia’s long-term military aviation modernization program and signifies a deepening of industrial cooperation between France and Indonesia. The deliveries of these advanced aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2026.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, commented on the deal, stating, “In choosing the Rafale, Indonesia has opted for a unique tool for sovereignty and operational independence that will help consolidate its role as a major regional power. This choice also consolidates ambitious industrial and academic cooperations. We are fully committed to making this partnership a success, with a resolutely long-term vision.”
In addition to the Rafales, the Indonesian government has expressed interest in acquiring 24 Boeing F-15EX Eagle fighters. Despite months of negotiations, an intergovernmental agreement with the United States has yet to be finalized, mainly due to budgetary constraints.
Under the framework agreement signed on February 10, 2022, Indonesia committed to purchasing a total of 42 Rafale jets. Dassault Aviation commenced production only after the financial means for each batch were secured. The contract for the first six Rafale jets was finalized in September 2022, and the second contract for 18 more jets was approved on August 10, 2023. The current agreement concludes the cycle of orders previously covered under the framework agreement.
All the Rafale jets for Indonesia will be brand new and completed in the latest F4 production standard. The delivery of the first Rafale is expected to start after 38 months, with subsequent jets arriving at a rate of one per month. It’s noteworthy that at the end of 2023, Dassault Aviation expanded its production capacity to three Rafale fighters per month, up from one, due to increasing export orders and the urgent need to replenish the French Air Force’s fleet after selling some used jets to Greece and Croatia.
