Indonesia and France to Hold Joint Military Exercise Pegasus 2026
Indonesia and France have agreed to strengthen strategic defence partnership through a large-scale joint military exercise named Mission Pegasus 2026. The agreement was announced directly by French President Emmanuel Macron following bilateral talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Thursday, May 28.
The military exercise, scheduled for September 2026, will cover various operational aspects, from fighter aircraft operations to enhancing naval and land capabilities of both nations.
“We will strengthen training and operational cooperation. We have also increased joint military exercises, some of which will take place soon, particularly concerning the Pegasus mission in September 2026,” Macron stated in a joint statement.
Macron emphasised that defence relations between Jakarta and Paris have reached an unprecedented level. He also highlighted the arrival of Indonesia’s first Dassault Rafale fighter jets as a tangible symbol of cutting-edge technology and defence industry collaboration between the two countries.
In response, President Prabowo Subianto expressed gratitude for France’s support in advancing Indonesia’s defence, science, and technology sectors. Prabowo affirmed that bilateral relations have now evolved into a more concrete comprehensive strategic partnership.
“We are delighted that we now have a comprehensive strategic partnership. We will see more concrete, balanced, and impactful cooperation in the future,” Prabowo said.
Beyond defence issues, both leaders discussed global geopolitical stability, particularly in the Middle East. Both Prabowo and Macron affirmed their commitment to a two-state solution for Palestinian independence to safeguard security and global energy supply chains.
President Prabowo’s state visit to Paris is part of foreign diplomacy efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s position in a multipolar world order. At the Élysée Palace meeting, Prabowo was accompanied by his son, Didit Hediprasetyo, while Macron was accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron.
President Prabowo Subianto also announced plans to expand French language education in Indonesian schools during his meeting with Macron at the Élysée Palace.