Indonesia buys 42 Rafale fighter jets from France

French multi-role fighters Dassault Rafale PARIS, Feb. 10 Indonesia agreed with France to acquire 42 multi-role fighters Rafale fighter jets, said French Defense Minister Florence Parly. «Official: Indonesia has ordered 42 Rafale fighters. Our strategic partnership will benefit from our defense relationship. France is proud to contribute to the modernization of the armed forces of our partner, which plays a key role in ASEAN and Indo-Pacific,” Parley tweeted. According to Agence France-Presse, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said the country had signed a contract on Thursday to acquire the “first six” fighter jets and will then receive the remaining 36. French Defense Minister stressed that Indonesia is the second in the region to buy French-made Rafale, the first was India. In addition to aviation, Indonesia is cooperating with France «in the field of submarines,» the minister added.