Indonesia Purchases 42 Rafale Jets, French Ambassador Wishes to Continue Collaboration

JAKARTA – The French Ambassador to Indonesia, Fabien Penone, has emphasised that his country’s defence cooperation with Indonesia is proceeding according to plan, particularly with respect to the acquisition of 42 Dassault Rafale fighter jets.

“We are developing cooperation and continue to promote industrial collaboration with the Indonesian government,” said Penone in response to questions about the progress of assembling and delivering three Rafale units at the French Embassy in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (24/3/2026).

Penone described the defence and security sector as an important foundation of bilateral relations. He explained that both countries are committed to prioritising strengthened intergovernmental cooperation in various mutually beneficial strategic fields.

“Our cooperation is going well,” Penone stated briefly, affirming the stability of bilateral relations that continues to develop amid regional dynamics.

Nevertheless, he expressed France’s desire to expand cooperation with Indonesia beyond defence and security. This includes the social-cultural sector, such as education, arts, and sports, which he views as having great potential.

According to him, social-cultural collaboration has been ongoing through strategic cultural ministerial dialogues, university academic mobility programmes, and athlete development between the two countries. This is also what prompted him to receive a visit from the management of Persib Bandung.