Indonesia to buy French fighter jets, as US approves F-15 plan | Weapons News | Al Jazeera

Indonesia is moving to upgrade its ageing airforce fleet with multi-billion dollar orders for advanced fighters jets from France and the United States, amid increasing tension i the Asia Pacific.

The agreement for 42 French Rafale fighters was announced as Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta.

Subianto confirmed a deal had been struck for the purchase of the planes, with a contract signed on Thursday in relation to the first six.

France’s defence ministry said the contract for the 42 aircraft and their weapons was worth $8.1bn. Indonesia may also acquire two Scorpene diesel-electric attack submarines.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration also approved the $13.9bn sale of the F-15 advanced fighter jets, engines and related equipment, including munitions and communications systems to Indonesia.