Final batch of Indonesian Rafale fighters enter service
Indonesia will operate a total of 42 Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets. (Photo: Dassault Aviation)
Indonesia has concluded the acquisition of its third instalment of 18 Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets, completing a three-phase acquisition.
Indonesia has marked the entry of its third final batch of 18 Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets. The first and second batches of fighters entered the force in September 2022 and August 2023, respectively.
With the last delivery officially approved by Jakarta, Dassault has now completed the three-phase order totalling 42 jets, making the country the largest buyer of French arms in southeast Asia.
The news came just days after Indonesia shelved its plans to acquire 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets from Qatar due to financial troubles. As Shephard reported earlier this week, the military will use the money originally allocated for the Mirage purchase towards upgrading its existing fleet of Sukhoi Su-30 and Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft.
The mirages were intended to replace the Northrop F5s, long since withdrawn from service, and would have been used as a training and familiarisation platform while the air force awaits the first of new 42 Dassault Rafale jets it had bought in 2022.
Alongside the Rafales, Indonesia is set to acquire Korea Aerospace Industries’ KF-21 and has also been considering the purchase of up to 24 F-15EX fighters from Boeing.
The Rafale is a delta-wing agile aircraft with forward canards, which allow for short landing and slower speeds, powered by two Snecma M88 engines.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Rafale (Tranche I - III) [Indonesia]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Advanced Electronic Warfare prototype for Super Hornet passes design review]()
Advanced Electronic Warfare prototype for Super Hornet passes design review
The successful completion of this stage for the Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) prototype launches the next phase which includes government laboratory testing for compliance and to demonstrate system attributes.
-
![Raytheon receives $590 million for Growler jammer]()
Raytheon receives $590 million for Growler jammer
In January 2020, Raytheon was awarded a $403 million System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA) contract for the New Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) which is designed for use on Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
-
![Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force selects General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGuardians]()
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force selects General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGuardians
The MQ-9B SeaGuardian will be used as part of the JMSDF’s long range maritime ISR patrol programme.
-
![US Army orders more Boeing CH-47 Block IIs]()
US Army orders more Boeing CH-47 Block IIs
Valued at $135 million, the Lot 3 contract is part of the US Army’s ongoing modernisation efforts.
