France has confirmed that Indonesia will buy 42 Rafale aircraft, for which an 8.1 deal has now been agreed.
According to the French government, the agreement is part of a series of other arms deals with France. The French Defense Ministry said in a statement that Indonesia would acquire 42 Rafale aircraft worth 8. 8.1 billion in connection with submarine manufacturing and arms deals.
Following the agreement, Indonesia will become the largest buyer of arms from France in the region.
It is worth mentioning here that this historic agreement between the two countries is taking place at a time when Paris is expanding its relations in Asia after forming a new alliance with US, UK and Australia last year. Is trying
Earlier, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabhu Sobianto met with his French counterpart Florence Parle, following reports of the purchase of 42 Rafale aircraft.
“Our strategic relationship will help us strengthen our defense ties,” said French Defense Minister Florence Parle. He said that after the agreement, Indonesia would be the second-largest country in the region after India to rely on Dassault Aviation aircraft.
French Defense Ministry officials said in a briefing that the 8.1 billion deal would increase production at Dassault Aviation, Saffron and Thales.
Under the agreement, six Rafale aircraft in the first phase are likely to be delivered to the Indonesian government in March, while another 36 will be delivered in later stages, by the end of this year or next year.
Dassault Aviation said the agreement was the beginning of a long-term partnership and would pave the way for a presence in Indonesia.
The agreement would make Indonesia the largest buyer of military equipment from France in the Southeast Asian region, which is currently the second-largest buyer in the region after Singapore, Defense Ministry officials said.
The French Defense Ministry said that in addition to the aircraft, Indonesia had also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the development of submarines, under which two ships would be built by the Naval Group.
According to the report, Indonesia currently has a fleet of US-made F-16s and Russian-made Sukhoi SU-27 SU-30s which are quite old.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has welcomed the signing of an agreement on the development of submarines, satellite equipment and weapons.
“I hope that the defense partnership is not limited to arms buyers but also manufacturing and co-production, technology exchange and investment in the defense industry,” he said.
France signed the largest-ever jet deal with the United Arab Emirates in December, buying 80 aircraft for 19 billion, while its other foreign customers include Croatia, Egypt, Greece and Qatar.