TSAMTO, October 1st. The Indonesian company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) intends to receive a number of key technologies in connection with the purchase of Raphael fighters by French Dassault Aviation.
According to ANTARA news, the president and CEO of PT Dirgantara Indonesia, Gita Amperiawan, in an interview with reporters at a manufacturing plant in Bandung (West Java) on September 27, said that the development of key technologies would open the way for Indonesia to create fighters inside the country.
Negotiations on technology transfer under a compensation agreement within the framework of the project for the purchase of 42 Rafale fighters between the Government of Indonesia, Dassault Aviation and the Government of France are currently ongoing. PTDI hopes to become part of Rafal's global production chain. The company offered a package of works on the production of several components of the French aircraft.
Thus, while simultaneously participating in the project to create the KF-21 Boramae fighter by South Korean Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Rafale by French Dassault Aviation, Indonesia hopes in the future to develop competencies and establish production of fighters within the country.
Recall that negotiations on the supply of Rafale fighters for the Indonesian Air Force began at the end of 2020. On February 10, 2022, the Indonesian Defense Ministry signed a basic agreement with the French company for the supply of 42 new Rafale F3R multirole fighters (30 single-seat and 12 double-seat). The total value of the transaction is $8.1 billion. At the same time, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto clarified that although the supply of 42 fighters is envisaged, a firm contract was initially signed for six aircraft. It is assumed that the first deliveries of Rafale fighters will begin three years after the entry into force of the contract.
In September 2022, it became known that the Indonesian authorities had paid for the delivery of the first six Rafale fighters. Their cost was about $1.3 billion. This allowed Dassault Aviation to begin production of aircraft for the Indonesian Air Force. At the same time, PT Dirgantara Indonesia and Dassault Aviation agreed on a memorandum of understanding on compensation agreements (offsets) and technology transfer agreements in 2022.
In August 2023, Dassault Aviation announced the entry into force of an agreement to supply the Indonesian Air Force with a second batch of 18 Rafale fighters under the signed basic contract.
In January 2024, Dassault Aviation announced the entry into force of an agreement to supply the Indonesian Air Force with the third and last batch of 18 Rafale fighters. The company's message meant that Indonesia had made an advance payment for the delivery of the next batch of aircraft. Thus, at the moment, the firm order for the supply of Rafale fighters to the Indonesian Air Force has increased to 42 units.
The acquisition of Rafale provides for a comprehensive turnkey solution, including the supply of related equipment, weapons, crew training, logistical support, equipment for several Indonesian air bases and the supply of a training center with two fully functional simulators. The program also provides access to aviation know-how.
