REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian government has paid off the purchase of 42 Rafale fighter jets divided in three terms. Nevertheless, the first new units will arrive in the homeland in early 2026, since it will take time to produce the advanced 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.

“The first Rafale aircraft will arrive in Indonesia at the beginning of 2026,” said the head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Defence (Ministry of Defence) Brigadier Edwin Adrian Sumantha in a press release in Jakarta on Wednesday (10/1/2024).

The Rafale warplane, he said, would arrive in Indonesia along with its armaments and supporting devices. All the new war tools are expected to significantly increase the strength and readiness of the AU military in maintaining the sovereignty of the country in the air.

Edwin explained that the Rafale is an advanced fighter aircraft that is one of the flagship aircraft of NATO member states. Rafale belongs to the category of omnirole aircraft so it is capable of performing a wide variety of missions, ranging from air superiority and air defense, close air support, in-depth attack, aerial reconnaissance, and antiship attacks.

Another advantage of the Rafale, he added, is its compatibility with a wide range of weaponry, such as the Meteor and MICA long-range air-to-air missiles 'beyond visual range' (BVR). Various other types of weaponry could also be fitted to Rafale fighter aircraft such as Scalp long-range stand-off missiles, AM39 Exocet antiship missiles, laser-guided bombs, classic unguided bombs and Nexter 30M791 30 mm internal cannons capable of spewing 2,500 bullets per minute.

Regarding the repayment of the purchase of 42 Rafale, according to Edwin, Kemenhan initially paid off the purchase contract for six units in September 2022. Later, it repaid the purchase contract for 18 units in August 2023. Finally, the purchase cost of 18 more units was repaid on Monday (8/1/2024).

“With the effectiveness of this third phase contract, Dassault Aviation as the manufacturer will immediately begin the process of manufacturing 18 additional units of the 4.5 generation fighter aircraft to complete the total procurement of 42 aircraft units for the Indonesian Government,” Edwin said.

The Ministry reportedly spent 8.1 billion US dollars, or about Rp 122.8 trillion, to buy 42 fighter jets made by France's leading aircraft company.

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