PARIS – Indonesia has agreed with France on the purchase of 42 Rafale fighter jets, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said on Thursday, Sputnik reported.
“It is official: Indonesia has ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets. Our strategic partnership will benefit from our defence relationship. France is proud to contribute to the modernisation of the armed forces of our partner, which plays a key role within ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region,” Parly tweeted.
Indonesia has become the second regional purchaser of Rafale aircraft from France after India, the minister noted in a follow-up tweet, adding that the countries also cooperate in the field of submarines.
According to AFP, Indonesian defence minister, Prabowo Subianto, on Thursday signed with the French side a contract for the acquisition of the first six jets, while 36 others will be obtained later.
