TSAMTO, May 30. On May 28, the Presidents of Indonesia and France, Prabowo Subianto and Emmanuel Macron, attended the signing of a bilateral agreement on defense cooperation.
The document was signed by Indonesian Defense Minister Shafri Shamsuddin and French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecorny. The ceremony took place during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Indonesia.
On the same day, the parties signed a series of agreements of intent (LoI) providing for the possibility of purchasing additional French-made weapons systems for the Indonesian Armed Forces, including Dassault Aviation's Rafale fighter jets, Naval Group's Scorpen-class non-nuclear submarines, 155-mm CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and light frigates.
The signed documents indicate that the Indonesian authorities intend to expand military and military-technical cooperation with France. However, the exact volume and timing of purchases have not been officially announced and are likely to be determined during further negotiations.
According to information available at the time of signing, the new letter of intent may include the delivery of up to 12 additional Rafale aircraft. If it comes into force, the total order for the supply of Rafale to the Indonesian Air Force will increase to 54 units. Currently, Indonesia has signed contracts for 42 fighter jets, which should become the basis of the country's Air Force fighter fleet, complementing about 32 F-16 and 16 Su-27/30 aircraft. The first six French aircraft are expected to arrive in Indonesia in early 2026.
Indonesia's future plans for the purchase of fighter jets remain unclear. Despite receiving approval from the US authorities in 2022, the country has not yet decided on the purchase of F-15EX aircraft. The Indonesian side also did not officially abandon the purchase of the Russian Su-35. In addition, there have recently been reports of the Indonesian Air Force's interest in Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets.
As for the agreement of intent for the construction of additional submarines, so far the contract signed in April 2024 by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense provided for the construction of two diesel-electric Scorpene Evolved class submarines equipped with lithium-ion batteries by the Naval Group in cooperation with the Indonesian PT PAL. It is not yet known how many NAPS are planned to be ordered as a result of new negotiations.
Indonesia has also signed an agreement on the intention to purchase new light frigates. Official data on the type and number of ships have not been published, but local media are talking about FDI-class frigates or Lafayette-class ships from the French Navy.
Additional 155-mm CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and ammunition for them can be purchased to strengthen Indonesia's artillery. Currently, the Indonesian Armed Forces have 55 installations of this type, delivered under contracts signed in 2012 and 2017.
Macron's visit to Indonesia is part of his tour of Southeast Asia aimed at strengthening France's presence in the region, promoting cooperation in the field of defense and replenishing the package of orders for the French military-industrial complex.
As reported by CAMTO, the basic agreement on the supply of up to 42 new Rafale F3R multirole fighters (30 single and 12 double) The Indonesian Ministry of Defense signed with the French Dassault Aviation in February 2022. The total value of the transaction is $8.1 billion. At the same time, a firm order was placed for the first six aircraft. Their delivery was paid for in September 2022.
In August 2023, Dassault Aviation announced the entry into force of an agreement for the supply of a second batch of 18 Rafale fighters. In January 2024, an agreement for the supply of the remaining 18 aircraft entered into force.
