Indonesia: Indonesia receives first Rafale fighter jets from France under defense modernization program.

SHOTLIST: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (MAY 18, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF RAFALE FIGHTER JETS ON TARMAC 2. VARIOUS OF FRENCH-MADE DEFENSE SYSTEMS DISPLAYED AT AIR BASE / INDONESIAN MILITARY OFFICIALS INSPECTING DEFENSE SYSTEMSJAKARTA, INDONESIA - MAY 18: Indonesia on Monday, May 18, announced delivery of several French-made defense systems, including six Rafale fighter jets, as part of broader military modernization program aimed at strengthening national defense capabilities. The delivery forms part of Indonesia’s contract for 42 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft produced by Dassault Aviation. Indonesian authorities also confirmed arrival of six Falcon 8X aircraft, two Airbus A400 military transport aircraft and Meteor air-to-air missiles under ongoing defense procurement agreements with France. The Rafale fighter jet is designed for air superiority, reconnaissance and ground support missions and is expected to enhance operational capabilities of Indonesian Air Force across archipelago. Indonesia has expanded defense procurement efforts in recent years as Southeast Asia’s largest economy seeks to modernize aging military equipment and strengthen strategic cooperation with European defense manufacturers. Defense cooperation between Indonesia and France has grown through agreements covering military equipment procurement, training and technology cooperation.