Indonesia is looking to beef up its air superiority with a planned purchase of new advanced fighter warplanes from the U.S. and France. The multi-billion-dollar acquisition is meant to update the nation's already aging fleet of jets as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto announced that the country had placed an order of 42 Rafale fighter jets from France and $13.9 billion worth of advanced F-15 fighter jets, munitions, communication system equipment, and other military gear from the U.S.
Subianto said that a contract for the delivery of six out of the 42 jets from France has already been signed. France's defense ministry confirmed the agreement, adding that the order is worth around $8.1 billion. Indonesia is reportedly in talks to acquire two Scorpene diesel-electric attack submarines from France, but a deal has yet to be finalized.
Meanwhile, Biden administration officials announced that they had already approved the sale of the military equipment to Indonesia. The State Department said the sale is in line with the country's foreign policy and its national security objectives.
The State Department added that Indonesia remains to be a strategic regional partner, which is also working towards maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The deal was made following Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the country in mid-December last year.
While none of the countries mentioned China, Indonesia is currently involved in the ongoing maritime dispute over the South China Sea, along with countries such as Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines. As China's influence expands, the U.S. and other Western nations have begun to gradually bolster their regional alliances, resurrecting informal groupings like the Quad and developing ties with countries throughout the Asia Pacific.
Australia recently signed the AUKUS security treaty, which involved the country purchasing nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S. The deal had angered both China and France, with the latter expressing disappointment at Australia's decision to go with another submarine supplier.
Since then, France has worked to build ties with long-time allies such as Japan and India, as well as Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, who have expressed reservations about the AUKUS treaty.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised Indonesia's decision to also purchase its jets, stating in a post on social media that it was a good move for the nation to choose "French industrial excellence."
Apart from bolstering its aerial superiority, Indonesia has also been working to build a modern naval fleet. The country currently has standing orders for new military equipment from South Korea and India.
