Indonesia to buy 36 F-15s from US and 42 Rafale jets from France

Asia-Pacific, News, US February 11, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

US approves $14 billion sale of F-15 to Indonesia after the country sealed 42 Rafale jets deal with France

Indonesia is moving to modernize its ageing airforce fleet with multi-billion dollar orders for advanced fighters jets from France and the United States. Jakarta narrowed its choices down to the Rafale and the Boeing F-15EX last year.

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of F-15ID aircraft and related equipment to Indonesia in a deal valued at up to $13.9 billion, the Pentagon said on Friday. The Indonesian variant of F-15EX would be known as the F-15ID.

The announcement came hours after Indonesia signed an $8.1 billion deal with France to buy for the acquisition of 42 Rafale fighter jets. This deal made Indonesia the second state in the Indo-Pacific region after India to rely on the jet produced by Dassault Aviation.

The contract was signed by Dassault CEO Eric Trappier and Indonesian Air Force Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, head of Defence Facilities Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) during a ceremony held in Jakarta on February 10. French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, and her Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto, attended the event.

Indonesia has formally ordered six aircraft with a commitment to buy 36 more. The deal also provides a complete turnkey solution that includes aircrew training, logistical support for several Indonesian air bases, and a training centre with two full-mission simulators.

_{Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, and the Air Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, Head of Defence Facilities Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, signed the contract for the acquisition of 42 latest-generation in Jakarta on Feb 10, 2022. (Image Credit: Dassault Aviation)}

Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo welcomed the signing of deals on submarine development, satellite procurement, and ammunition production. “I hope that defence partnerships aren’t just focused on munition purchases, but also keeping in mind the development and joint production, technological transfer, and investment in defence industries,” he said.

Trappier said the contract “marks the start of a long-term partnership that will see Dassault Aviation rapidly step up its presence in the country” and also demonstrates “the strong bond between Indonesia and France.”

US approves $14B sale of F-15 fighter jets to Indonesia

On the same day, the U.S. State Department has cleared Indonesia to buy up to 36 Boeing F-15ID aircraft as part of an estimated $13.9 billion deal. The package would include 36 jets, spare engines, Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, night vision goggles training and technical support.

The proposed sale will improve “the security of an important regional partner that is a force for political stability, and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region,” said a statement, adding that it “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

Indonesia has been seeking to overhaul its ageing air fleet of U.S.-made F-16 and Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 jets.