The first Indonesian pilots selected for the Dassault Rafale conversion course will soon be sent to France to begin their training.
According to ANTARA news agency, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo is preparing a special group of pilots to be placed at the controls of the Dassault Rafale fighters, of which Indonesia recently purchased 6 units (which could grow to 42 aircraft).
«We have prepared several pilots, but we have not determined the number. However, we have prepared the criteria and those who are eligible to fly the Rafale,» Prasetyo commented after the 2022 Indonesian Air Force leadership meeting at the Air Force headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Friday.
Future Rafale pilots will receive training in France and Indonesia before being assigned to the existing squadron.
Indonesian Defense Minister Prawobo Subianto announced the purchase after receiving a visit of honor from French Republic Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly at the Defense Ministry office in Jakarta on Feb. 10.
Subianto stated that Indonesia will make a significant defense investment for the purchase of the 42 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft..
«We started today with the signing of the first contract for six aircraft,» Prabowo Subianto said, adding that contracts for 36 more aircraft will follow, along with the contract for logistics support, training, simulators and their armament package.
In addition to the purchase of the aircraft, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Dassault and PT Dirgantara Indonesia, agreeing to maintain and repair the French aircraft in Indonesia.
Indonesia was also cleared by the US for the procurement of up to 36 F-15IDs (Indonesia export version of the F-15EX Eagle II) and remains formally associated with South Korea’s KF-X program (which is progressing apace), so it is to be expected that the Rafale will not be the only avenue of modernization for the Indonesian National Army Air Force (TNI-AU).
