Prabowo Hands Over New Rafale Fighter Jets, Falcon 8X to TNI

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended a ceremony marking the handover of new military hardware to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on Monday, May 18.

Prabowo arrived at the air base at around 09:50 AM local time, accompanied by State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

During the ceremony, the president inspected several newly acquired defense systems displayed at the air base alongside Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, TNI Commander Agus Subiyanto, and Air Force Chief of Staff Mohamad Tonny Harjono.

The defense equipment handed over included six Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets produced by Dassault Aviation, four Falcon 8X aircraft, one Airbus A400M Atlas Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, the GM403 Ground Control Interception radar system, as well as Hammer precision-guided weapons and Meteor missiles.

Indonesia had previously received two Falcon 8X aircraft and one Airbus A400M unit.

Several of the newly delivered defense systems were displayed on the apron of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in a triangular formation.

Rafale fighter jets occupied the front row, alongside Meteor missiles and Hammer smart weapons. Falcon 8X aircraft were positioned behind the fighter jets, while the Airbus A400M stood at the rear of the display area.

Prabowo symbolically inaugurated the handover by unveiling the emblem of Air Squadron 12 before sprinkling flower water on one of the Rafale fighter jets, a ceremonial tradition in Indonesia.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have officially received additional equipment for the Air Force,” Prabowo said during the ceremony.

The procurement is part of Indonesia’s military modernization program initiated during Prabowo’s tenure as defense minister between 2019 and 2024. The government views the acquisitions as a key step in strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.

According to Indonesia’s Government Communications Office, the Rafale fighter jets are expected to improve the country’s air combat capabilities in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The Falcon 8X aircraft will support strategic mobility and surveillance operations.

Meanwhile, the Airbus A400M MRTT is intended to enhance long-range logistics and aerial refueling capabilities, while the GM403 radar system will strengthen early detection and national air defense monitoring to help safeguard Indonesia’s airspace sovereignty.

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