Indonesia orders next batch of 18 Rafale fighters
Indonesia has ordered the next 18 Rafale fighters for its air force from France. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
The next 18 Rafale fighters for Indonesia have been formally ordered.
Dassault Aviation announced on 10 August that a contract covering a second tranche of Rafale fighters for Indonesia had come into force that day. Ultimately, Jakarta intends to purchase 42 Rafales, but it is ordering them in batches rather than all at once.
This second tranche comprises 18 French-built fighters destined for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).
The trigger for this announcement would have been Indonesia paying an initial instalment for this next batch. Indonesia routinely uses funds from foreign lenders to finance large defence acquisitions, and the Ministry of Finance gave approval last year to secure $2.9 billion in
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Indonesia strengthens Turkish defence ties with Kizilelma drone order]()
Indonesia strengthens Turkish defence ties with Kizilelma drone order
Indonesia’s purchase of 12 drones with options for an additional 48 is the third deal in as many years between Indonesian and Turkish defence industries, bolstering the former’s plans to strengthen its own domestic production and defence industry.
-
![Brazil air focus: Army set to dominate country’s $631.67 million UAV market from 2028]()
Brazil air focus: Army set to dominate country’s $631.67 million UAV market from 2028
The Brazilian Army is forecast to spend $279.15 million on UAVs from 2026, exceeding the Brazilian Navy’s $227.51 million forecast spend, although the naval force was an earlier adopter of the capability.
-
![Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story]()
Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story
The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.
