Indonesia Gears Up For Rafales

INDONESIA is gearing up for the impending arrival of Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI-AU) with the first Rafale taking its maiden flight and its first batch of pilots completing solo flights in the Rafale.

Four TNI-AU pilots trained on the Rafale at the 113 Saint-Dizier–Robinson Air Force which houses the French Air and Space Force’s Rafale Transition Squadron 3/4 Aquitane. Aside from that, technicians have also been sent for technical training on maintaining the aicraft.

Meanwhile, TNI-AU chief Air Chief Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono inspected the progress of infrastructures at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, Riau that will facilitate Rafale operations. Throughout the chief’s visit, the various infrastructures including the hangars to maintenance areas were inspected to ensure a smooth, on-time progression to fully meet operational standards.

Indonesia’s first three of 42 Rafales will arrive in the country between February and March next year while three more are scheduled to follow suit in April as part of a phased procurement plan. ACM Harjono added that the deliveries will continue until all aircraft are delivered.–shp/adj/dl (Pix:TNI-AU)