TSAMTO, February 10. According to the French newspaper La Tribune, this week it is planned to sign a firm contract for the purchase by Indonesia of Rafale multipurpose fighters of the French company Dassault Aviation.
According to the publication, citing an informed source, the contract for the supply of the first six fighters has already been signed. During the official visit to Indonesia of the Minister of the Armed Forces of France Florence Parly (February 9-10), it is planned to implement an option and confirm a firm order for the supply of the remaining 30 aircraft (later, with reference to F.Parli, there were reports of Indonesia ordering a total of 42 Rafale fighters, that is, 6 + 36 vehicles).
As already reported by TSAMTO, the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia last year signed a framework contract providing for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighters by the French company Dassault Aviation.
Speaking at the annual board of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, held on January 20, 2022, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said that negotiations on the program have been completed and the contract is "awaiting activation."
A source close to the Indonesian Defense Ministry said on January 25 that a preliminary contract with Dassault Aviation for the supply of 36 aircraft worth 5.8 billion. The euro ($6.56 billion) was signed on June 7, 2021, but it has not yet entered into force due to lack of clarity regarding financing. In all likelihood, the Indonesian leadership took a considerable time to attract foreign creditors to finance this program.
It is also known that since February 2021, Indonesian Defense Ministry officials have been negotiating with Dassault Aviation regarding compensation programs (counter-purchases) and financing of the project by the French side.
Recall that the Chief of Staff (Commander) The Indonesian Air Force, Air Marshal Fajar Prasetyo, confirmed plans to purchase 36 Rafale fighters from French Dassault and 8 F-15EX from American Boeing in December 2021.
He also said that the Indonesian government has abandoned the plan to buy Su-35 fighters.
