Indonesia agreed to buy 42 French-made Rafale fighter jets after the two
countries signed a series of agreements covering the development of
submarines and manufacturing of ammunition.
This was conveyed by the French Minister of Defense Florence Parly, Thursday
(10/2/2022).
"It's official: Indonesia ordered 42 Rafales," Parly tweeted during a visit
to Indonesia. The Indonesian State Secretariat in a statement confirmed the
agreement had been signed with France but did not mention Rafale or the
specifics of the deal.
The agreement will make Indonesia the second country in the Indo-Pacific
region after India to rely on fighter jets produced by Dassault Aviation.
Dassault Aviation said the deal marked the start of a long-term partnership
and would allow it to rapidly increase its presence in Indonesia. Its shares
were up about 4% after news of the deal.
The deal comes as Paris, which views itself as a global maritime power,
seeks to expand geopolitical ties in the Indo-Pacific.
That's after the United States, Britain and Australia created a new
strategic alliance last year called AUKUS, which equips Australia with
nuclear-powered submarines instead of French diesel-electric submarines as
the original deal did.
The issue is sensitive for France after Australia scrapped a
multibillion-dollar submarine deal last year with Paris, accusing its ally
of treason.
Parly on Thursday said Indonesia had committed to working closely with our
industry in the submarine sector.
"Our strategic partnership will benefit from the deepening of our defense
relationship," Parly added.
Indonesia has also expressed concern about AUKUS, warning that the use of
nuclear-powered submarines could add to geopolitical tensions in Southeast
Asia, a region where China has considerable influence.
Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, however, said he understood
why the AUKUS alliance was formed.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Parly on Thursday and welcomed the
signing of deals on submarine development, satellite procurement and
ammunition production.
"I hope the defense partnership will not only focus on purchasing munitions,
but also with paying attention to joint development and production,
technology transfer and investment in the defense industry," Jokowi said in
a statement.