Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU, Indonesian Air Force) made and altered and finally the choice to acquire up to 36 Rafales was made. On 7 June 2021, Indonesia signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to acquire 36 Dassault Rafale fighters. The original number of new fighters has now been increased to 42.

The first actual step has been taken with the signing of an order for an initial batch of six Rafales. The French Ministre des Armées (Defence secretary), Florence Parly, signed the order with her Indonesian counterpart Defence Minister Prabowo Subiantovisiting, in Jakarta on Thursday 10 February 2022.

A contract for another 36 with necessary support and simulators is expected to be followed soon.

Photo Rob Vogelaar