First Rafale Fighter Jet for Indonesian Air Force Spotted in France

The first Rafale B fighter jet for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has been spotted at the Dassault Aviation facility in Bordeaux, France.

The aircraft, bearing the serial number T-0301, was seen on July 30, 2025, as reported by Scramble.

This is the first of 42 Rafale multi-role fighter jets on order under a series of contracts signed with France. The initial agreement for 24 aircraft was expanded earlier this year when Indonesia exercised an option for 18 additional units. The first delivery is scheduled for early 2026, with production stretching out to around 2035.

Dassault Aviation confirmed that seven Rafale jets were manufactured in the first half of 2025 — three for the French Air Force and four for export customers, including Indonesia.

The deal, signed in February 2022, covers a comprehensive support package. Indonesia will receive 30 Rafale C F.4 variants and 12 Rafale B two-seaters, with training for flight crews, simulator-equipped training centers, and logistical support across several Indonesian air bases.

Indonesia’s decision to procure the Rafale came after it abandoned a planned purchase of Russian Su-35s in 2021. The shift redirected attention toward Western fighter aircraft, including the Rafale and U.S.-made F-15EX.

In parallel, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (IPTN) has entered into a co-production agreement with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to manufacture the KAAN fighter jet. The agreement, signed during the IDEF25 defense exhibition in Istanbul, paves the way for a potential Indonesian order of 48 KAAN jets, should the deal be finalized.

Meanwhile, an Indonesian Air Force pilot flew South Korea’s KF-21 fighter jet for the first time in June 2025, signaling renewed commitment to the joint KF-21/IF-X program after years of payment delays. The test flight, followed a revised agreement that reduced Indonesia’s financial share and restructured cooperation with Korean Aerospace Industries. Despite recent controversies and overlapping fighter jet deals—including the KAAN and Rafale—Indonesia is reasserting its role in regional defense development and local industry participation.