Indonesia Induct First Rafale Fighters
INDONESIA has inducted its first three Dassault Rafale fighters, the first of a total 42 aircraft ordered in a 2022 blockbuster deal with France. The three fighter aircraft piloted by Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) pilots arrived in the country on January 23 and are ready for operational use with the 12th Squadron, currently stationed at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru on the western island of Sumatra.
Head of the defence ministry’s General Secretariat Information and Defense Bureau Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha said this delivery are part of the first phase. “The Indonesian Ministry of Defense previously entered into a first-phase procurement contract with Dassault Aviation in September 2022 for six units and in August 2023 for 18 units. The total procurement of Rafale fighter jets by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense is 42 units. Administratively and technically, the handover process has been completed”.
He added that subsequent deliveries will continue in stages according to the contract and the technical readiness of both parties. The official acceptance ceremony for the fighter jets will be held at a later date, with president Prabowo Subianto set to attend. The second batch of Rafales is expected this April
The French-made 4.5th generation jet adds to the TNI-AU’s diverse fleet of combat aircraft which includes South Korean Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 trainers, British BAE Hawk 100/200s, Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30s, as well as American Lockheed Martin F-16s.
Media reports also said that Indonesia could possibly be interested in purchasing another 24 Rafales comprising 30 single-seat and 12 twin-seater variants. Indonesia has been in the market for fighter aircraft over the past five years in a race to strengthen the TNI-AU. Last June, Indonesia signed another landmark deal for the under-development fifth-generation fighter–KAAN from Turkiye, set to be the aircraft’s first ever export customer by committing to procure a total of 48 KAAN stealth multirole fighter jets being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS). The jets would be manufactured in Turkiye and then delivered to Indonesia within a timeframe of 120 months, adding that Indonesia’s local capabilities would also be integrated into the production process.
However, Indonesia has stated their interest in other aircraft, the defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that the country would soon procure Chengdu J-10 multirole fighter jets. Indonesia’s intention for acquiring the J-10 was first reported in June 2025, citing the aircraft’s relatively cheaper price and cutting edge capabilities. Media reports quoted Indonesian deputy defence minister and former TNI-AU Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto on China’s offer of warships, weapons along with the J-10 to the country. “We have had talks with China and they offered us a lot, not just J-10, but also ships, arms, frigates.” He added that the J-10 is being evaluated for its pricing, system compatibility and after-sales support.
In October 2025, Russia confirmed that the contract for the purchase of Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets by Indonesia was not canceled, with Moscow stating that the US$1.14 billion agreement for 11 Su-35s was still awaiting an official decision from Jakarta. “The situation remains the same. This agreement has not been canceled. It is still pending,” according to Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov, adding that Russia is still awaiting further steps from the Indonesian government to continue negotiations. Previously, the contract for the purchase of the Su-35s was signed in February 2018 but delayed reportedly due to the risk of US sanctions on Indonesia, with Indonesia instead opting to commit to procuring 24 units of Boeing’s F-15EX in 2023. However, Indonesia has yet to finalise that commitment to date.
On top of that, Indonesian interest in the JF-17 fighter developed by Pakistan and China were reported in early January, with both the Indonesian defence ministry and Pakistan’s military confirming a meeting between Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.