French Dassault Extends 'Rafale' Success after UAE Mega deal , Indonesia signs for 6 Rafale and will order a total of 42 Jets to strengthen military relations !

• Jakarta has ordered 42 jets as France and Indonesia continue to strengthen military relations in the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific.

• Order was signed in Jakarta Thursday , that adds to the UAE mega-deal of 80 in December 21.

• French firm strengthens it's position in the spat over future Euro fighter.

Dassault had a boom year in 2021 , 2022 is also continuing the run !  now in the presence of the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, and the Indonesian Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto, the Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, and the Air Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, Head of Defence Facilities Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, signed the contract for the acquisition by Indonesia of 42 latest-generation Rafale aircraft, at a ceremony held today in Jakarta.

However, Indonesia’s state-run Antara news agency cited the country’s defence minister as saying the agreement was for six Rafale jets, with 36 to follow.

The deal is a package ! Rafale acquisition for the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (Indonesian National Army Air Force) includes a complete turnkey solution, with a comprehensive package that covers aircrew training, logistical support for several Indonesian air bases, and a training center with two full-mission simulators.

Aging fleet and American Sanctions !

Indonesia has an aging fleet, mainly American F-16s and Russian Su-27 and Su-30 Sukhoi, and is in negotiations with multiple partners to renew its combat aircraft. For the long run, Indonesia is seeking to diversify its alliances and suppliers of military equipment in the face of rising Asia-Pacific tensions between China and the United States.

Worth mentioning about the contract that Indonesia had signed in 2018 for the purchase of eleven Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia never took off , due to an American sanctions, when a country enters into a “significant transaction” with the Russian arms industry.

Dassault says Rafale will aid in the sovereignty and operational independence,

The Rafale’s unique “omnirole” capability will provide Indonesia with a tool for sovereignty and operational independence, reinforcing its role as a major regional power.

Indonesian industry will benefit from a substantial industrial return, not only in the aeronautical sector, but also in all the other major areas of cooperation relating to the broad portfolio of dual technologies mastered by Dassault Aviation and its industrial partners, Safran Aircraft Engines and Thales.

“Indonesia’s choice is one of sovereignty and technical excellence, with an aircraft that has demonstrated its operational capabilities many times over,” Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly told journalists.

“It is a great honor for Dassault Aviation to see the Rafale join the highly prestigious Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara air force, and I would like to thank the Indonesian authorities for the trust they have placed in us.

This contract marks the start of a long-term partnership that will see Dassault Aviation rapidly step up its presence in the country. It also demonstrates the strong bond between Indonesia and France and reinforces the position of the world’s largest archipelago as a key power on the international stage.

I am confident that the Rafale will meet the operational needs of the Indonesian Air Force, actively contributing to the defence and sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia”, said Eric Trappier on this occasion.

AUKUS snub !

Bilateral ties are imporatant , France seeks to build Indo-Pacific ties further ! If one analyses , the deal comes as Paris seeks to expand geopolitical ties in the Indo-Pacific after the United States, Britain and Australia created a new strategic alliance last year called AUKUS, which includes equipping Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Apart from bilateral ties, French Dassault just want to continue the good run from year 2021 , Last year in the month of December the United Arab Emirates signed a record deal for 80 of the Rafales. Qatar has purchased 36 and Egypt has ordered more than 50. Earlier , Dassault Aviation has also taken orders for the aircraft from India, Greece and Croatia.

The Rafale F4 model aircraft are still undergoing a development program worth €2 billion, which is set to be completed in 2024 . They are to be delivered from 2027.

Jakarta is also negotiating in parallel the purchase of about thirty American F-15 fighter planes, according to the media, and is participating in a research and development project with South Korea for the KF-21 fighter plane.