REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Head of the Information and Public Relations Bureau of the Secretariat General of Indonesia's Ministry of Defense (MoD), Brigadier General Frega Wrenas, denied reports that the Indonesian government is reconsidering or even canceling the contract to purchase 42 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation. This statement responds to several foreign media reports, which emerged following the downing of three Rafale fighter jets operated by India by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
"Hoax," said Frega when contacted Republika.co.id in Jakarta on Wednesday evening (May 21, 2025). He stated that the news circulating in several media outlets, particularly those focused on military affairs, is merely based on rumors.
He also confirmed that the Rafale jet purchase contract made by the MoD for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) is still proceeding. The delivery of the 4.5-generation fighter jets by Dassault Aviation for the Indonesian Air Force is scheduled to begin in 2026. "The contract is already in effect (procurement is ongoing)," Frega said.
On the other hand, information from senior TNI officials indicates that there is actually no problem with the French-made fighter jets. If indeed during combat with Pakistan the Indian Rafales were shot down using PL-15 missiles launched from Chengdu J-10s with long-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) tactics, then the issue lies in India’s combat strategy. The quality of Indian pilots should also be questioned, not the Rafale jets themselves.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Jakarta later this month. Macron will meet Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta and is also planned to visit Akmil in Magelang, Central Java.
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