Pakistan lies exposed again as this Muslim country to buy Rafale from France, not Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, name is…
Following the success of Rafael in recent Operation Sindoor by India, it is being sought by every other nation. After major economies demanding the fighter jet, a Muslim country has also expressed willingness to buy the deadly combat weapon.
This nation’s armed forces have long relied on a mix of ageing platforms, including US F-16s and Russian Su-27/30 fighter jets, which struggle to meet the demands of modern warfare in the vast, archipelagic nation. The country’s vast geography comprises more than 17,000 islands, requiring versatile systems capable of operating in the air, sea and land domains. The country is Indonesia.
The world’s largest Muslim country has announced to buy more Rafale fighter jets from France. Earlier in 2022, Indonesia had signed a deal to buy 42 Rafale jets from France. Indonesia and France have also signed a letter of intent during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Jakarta. It reflected Indonesia’s ambition to acquire military hardware from France, including Dassault Rafale fighter jets, Scorpene submarines, light frigates and CAESAR artillery systems. Indonesia has decided to buy Rafale despite the propaganda of Pakistan and China, which it did after India’s Operation Sindoor.
The agreement, formalised in the presence of Macron and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, is a significant step in Indonesia’s ongoing effort to modernise its armed forces. However, the quantity of these military equipment and the timeline for acquiring them have not been disclosed. But, French media outlet Opexnews has estimated that the deal could include around 18 additional Rafale jets.
Regional defence experts in Singapore and Malaysia have backed the deal, given Indonesia’s growing integration with Western military systems. Still, they raise questions about potential logistical challenges and the political commitment needed to sustain these ambitious programmes.
China expresses displeasure
Meanwhile, Chinese media outlets have portrayed the deal as an example of “external interference” in Southeast Asia, especially amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. The move underscores Indonesia’s effort to bolster its military capabilities amid a complex regional security landscape, building on a 2022 contract for 42 Rafales and other defense equipment. The deal is aimed at addressing critical gaps in Indonesia’s air, naval, and land forces, but questions remain about the feasibility of these advanced systems and their integration into the country’s diverse arsenal.
The 2022 deal with France worth $8.1 billion includes 42 Rafale jets, submarine development and ammunition, establishing France as a key partner in Jakarta’s defence modernisation.
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