Rafale trial flight to boost RI-France defense relations: official

Jakarta, July 27 (ANTARA) - Commander of the National Air Operations Command, Vice Marshal Tedi Rizalhadi, conducted a trial flight on a Rafale fighter jet on Thursday, signifying a boost to defense relations between Indonesia and France.

"This flight marks an important step in deepening bilateral relations between Indonesia and France, especially in the defense sector," he said in a press statement from his office on Friday.

Rizalhadi tried out the French Rafale fighter jet at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, East Jakarta.

The trial flight was part of a series of Pegase 2024 mission activities, he informed. Indonesia was one of the countries visited in the Indo-Pacific region as part of the mission, he added.

Before flying the Rafale fighter jet, Rizalhadi underwent a health test and a safety briefing attended by high-ranking Indonesian Air Force officials and Pegase mission commander, Brigadier General Guillaume Thomas.

After a series of checks, Rizalhadi flew the Rafale fighter jet for 70 minutes.

After the trial flight, he conveyed his satisfaction and expressed the hope that the activity would strengthen military relations between Indonesia and France.

Indonesia is among the customers of the Rafale fighter jet produced by France.

The Ministry of Defense purchased 42 Rafale fighter jets made by Dassault Aviation France after the third phase purchase contract for the last 18 units became effective.

Head of the public relations bureau of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha, said that the effective contract was the basis for Dassault Aviation to start producing the last 18 units of Rafale fighter jets ordered by Indonesia.

"The first phase of the procurement contract with Dassault Aviation became effective in September 2022 for six units, and August 2023 for 18 units. In total, the procurement of Rafale fighter jets by the Defense Ministry is 42 units," he informed.

According to him, the first Rafale aircraft ordered by Indonesia is scheduled to arrive in early 2026.