France and Indonesia have signed a letter of intent (LOI) that would see new large-scale arms deliveries, France Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu revealed.
The LOI pertains to the potential procurement of French navy tools by Indonesia.
It might result in Indonesia planning to buy extra Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, gentle frigates and Scorpène submarines from Naval Group, and Caesar artillery programs and ammunition from KNDS.
“Indonesia confirms its confidence within the excellence of the French defence trade!” stated Lecornu and added the belief “demonstrates each the excellence of French tools and our want to determine lasting partnerships that profit the native defence trade”.
The LOI was signed throughout the state go to of French President Emmanuel Macron to the archipelago, as a part of his Indo-Pacific tour which started on 27 Could 2025, in Jakarta.
The discussions with Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto additionally targeted on reinforcing bilateral ties, with explicit emphasis on collaborative efforts in power transition and navy cooperation, in addition to fostering progress throughout the digital economic system sector between France and Indonesia.
France has seen important defence cooperation with Indonesia, making it France’s second largest defence market in Southeast Asia after India.
In 2022, a deal was struck for the sale of 42 Rafale jets, with first deliveries scheduled for 2026.
In January 2024, Dassault Aviation said that the last instalment of 18 Rafale jets for Indonesia was officially confirmed. It adopted the activation of the preliminary two tranches, with the primary batch of six Rafales in September 2022 and the second set of 18 plane in August 2023.
Moreover, Indonesia ordered two A400M plane slated for supply by late 2025.
On 28 March 2024, Indonesia selected Naval Group in collaboration with PT PAL to enhance the Navy’s capabilities by commissioning two Scorpène Evolved submarines geared up with full Lithium-ion batteries (LiB).
These submarines are scheduled for development on the PT PAL shipyard in Indonesia, and the challenge will contain a switch of expertise from Naval Group. This choice aligns with the Defence Cooperation Settlement that was signed between the French and Indonesian governments again in August 2021.
The 2 Scorpène submarines are anticipated in 2031.
