New Fighter Jet: Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Tests the Sophistication of the Rafale
Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Tests the Sophistication of the Rafale, the Indonesian Air Force's New Fighter Jet
"During the flight, the Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff participated in various aerial maneuvers and gained a first-hand understanding of the performance of the Rafale fighter jet."
Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff (KSAU), Air Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono, tested the sophisticated French-made fighter jet, the Rafale, which Indonesia will soon acquire, on Tuesday (July 15).
The test conducted by the KSAU was to test the technology of the fighter jet, which will strengthen the Indonesian Air Force in 2026.
In an official TNI AU press release published Thursday, the familiarization flight took place from Robinson Air Force Base, Saint-Dizier, France.
Air Marshal I Nyoman Suadnyana, Head of the Indonesian Air Force Information Service (Kadispenau), explained that the KSAU tested the Rafale accompanied by fighter pilots from the French Air Force.
"During the flight, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force participated in various aerial maneuvers and gained a firsthand view of the fighter jet's performance," said I Nyoman when confirmed on Thursday.
I Nyoman continued, explaining that the fighter jet's test run went smoothly. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force also expressed his appreciation to the Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force, General Jérôme Bellanger, for providing this opportunity.
I Nyoman hopes that this activity will further strengthen the cooperation between the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and France in the field of military technology to enhance air defense.
He also hopes this activity will strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and France.
Indonesia was previously listed as a customer for the Rafale fighter jet manufactured by France.
The Ministry of Defense has purchased 42 Rafale fighter jets made by Dassault Aviation France after the third phase of the purchase contract for the final 18 units became effective.
The Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense, then Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha, stated that this effective contract served as the basis for Dassault Aviation to begin production of the final 18 Rafale fighter jets ordered by Indonesia.
"The Indonesian Ministry of Defense previously announced the first phase of the procurement contract with Dassault Aviation in September 2022 for six units, and in August 2023 for 18 units. In total, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense is procuring 42 Rafale fighter jets," said Edwin.
He stated that the first Rafale aircraft ordered by Indonesia are scheduled to arrive in Indonesia in early 2026. (WM)
