Prabowo Increases Military Hardware: Global Conditions Full of Uncertainty
President Prabowo Subianto has stated that the national defence system is a primary requirement for maintaining the stability and sovereignty of the nation. Prabowo made this assertion during the handover ceremony of new main weapons systems (alutsista) to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
In his press statement, the Head of State specifically highlighted the turbulent global geopolitical dynamics in recent times. “We see the state of the world; geopolitics is full of uncertainty, and we know that defence is the primary requirement for stability and the guarantee that we can remain sovereign,” Prabowo said at the Base Ops of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, East Jakarta, on Monday, 18 May 2026.
The range of weaponry handed over by President Prabowo to the TNI today includes six Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) Rafale produced by Dassault Aviation; four Falcon 8X aircraft produced by Dassault; one Airbus A400M Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT); Ground Control Intervention (GCI) GM403 radar; as well as Hammer smart weapon systems and Meteor missiles.
Prabowo noted that this array of weaponry enhances the defence capabilities of the Air Force. The Chairman of the Gerindra Party claimed that this addition of military hardware represents a milestone in strengthening national defence capabilities.
This augmentation of defence equipment is part of the national military modernisation programme initiated by Prabowo during his tenure as Minister of Defence for the 2019-2024 period.
According to the Indonesian Government Communications Agency, the presence of Rafale fighter jets is expected to increase Indonesia’s air combat capabilities, both in air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. Meanwhile, the Falcon 8X aircraft is considered capable of supporting national strategic mobility and surveillance missions. Furthermore, the A400M MRTT will strengthen logistics transport capabilities and aerial refueling for long-range operations, while the GCI GM403 radar will play a role in early detection systems and national air defence control to safeguard the nation’s airspace sovereignty.