Indonesian Rafale Combat Aircraft Increases by 18

With the effectiveness of the second phase of the Rafale fighter contract, it means that the manufacturing process for 18 Rafales will begin in about two weeks.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

KOMPAS/B JOSIE SUSILO HARDIANTO

The ground crew of the French Air Force is preparing a Rafale fighter jet of the French Air Force on Monday (12/9/2022) at the south apron of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta. The presence of the French fighter jet is part of the Pegasus 2022 mission.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The second phase of the contract to purchase Rafale fighter aircraft from France is officially effective. The Rafale manufacturer, Dassault Aviation, stated that in the second stage, there were 18 Rafale aircraft out of a total of 42 aircraft according to the contract purchased by Indonesia.

The effectiveness of this contract has been confirmed by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. "Yes, it is effective. We hope it will run smoothly," said Head of the Defense Facilities Agency (Baranahan) of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Jusuf Jauhari, on Thursday (10/8/2023).

Meanwhile, in a release delivered on the Dassault website, Eric Trappier, Main Director of Dassault Aviation, said that this latest phase solidifies the beginning of a long-term partnership with the Indonesian government. Eric said the relationship that was built was strategic and united Indonesia and France. This collaboration also reflects the increasing presence of Dassault Aviation in Indonesia.

Head of the Ministry of Defense Public Relations Bureau Edwin Sumantha explained, with the effectiveness of the contract, it means that the construction process for the 18 Rafales will start in about two weeks. "Earlier, there was an e-mail to Baranahan from Dassault that the down payment for the second batch had been received," said Edwin.

However, according to him, it still requires a process of around two weeks for the contract to be executed. There are still several administrative steps on the Dassault side before the 18 Rafale jets begin to be built. Edwin said that it is expected that the entire contract will be effective by 2023. In February 2022, Indonesia signed a contract to purchase 42 Rafale fighter jets. "We hope that by the end of 2023, the entire contract can be effective or we can pay the down payment. Procurement of defense equipment is not fast," he said.

Also read: Rafale Strengthens Indonesia-France Partnership

KOMPAS/B JOSIE SUSILO HARDIANTO

Three Rafale fighter aircraft for the French Air Force, Monday (12/9/2022), carried out a joy flight over the waters of the Sunda Strait. Photo taken from the cabin of the French Air Force A-330 MRTT tanker.

Gradually, the contract becomes effective in line with payments from the Government of Indonesia. In the first phase, Indonesia's payment will activate six Rafale fighter aircraft in September 2022. On August 10, 2023, the second phase will be declared effective. This means that Indonesia has now officially fulfilled the down payment for the purchase of eighteen more Rafale aircraft, bringing the total to 24.

The purchase of the latest generation Rafale for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) also includes technology transfer. The technology transfer has a significant contribution to the development of the aircraft industry sector in Indonesia. In the purchase package, there are also educational projects that are part of technical training to build the aviation industry.