JAKARTA, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Three French-made Rafale fighter jets have landed in Indonesia, marking the first batch under a deal to acquire 42 aircraft signed in 2022.
The three aircraft, built by French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation, were delivered to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, Sumatra last Friday, Defence Ministry spokesperson Brig Gen Rico Ricardo Sirait said.
“They are ready to be operated by the TNI AU,” he said, according to ANTARA news agency on Tuesday.
He said an official handover ceremony for the delivered jets, to be attended by President Prabowo Subianto, would be held at a later date.
Indonesia signed an agreement with Dassault Aviation to acquire 42 Rafale fighter jets in Feb 2022 under a major defence procurement programme, with the contract structured in three tranches.
The first tranche of six jets entered into force in September 2022, followed by the second tranche of 18 jets in August 2023, while the final tranche of 18 aircraft came into force on Jan 8, 2024.
Rico however did not furnish the timeline for the arrival of the second and third batches.
Dassault Aviation said the TNI AU acquisition includes a complete turnkey solution, with a comprehensive package that covers aircrew training, logistical support for several Indonesian air bases, and a training centre with two full-mission simulators.
--BERNAMA
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