'Rafale's finest hour has passed': Indonesia suspends purchase of French fighter jets
Indonesia's pricey $8,1 billion order for 42 Rafale fighters from France has been thrown into serious doubt after the jet's disastrous debut in recent fighting between India and Pakistan. aviation.
The purchase of the aircraft has been suspended. The contract could be scuppered by alarming allegations of their poor performance in recent military operations. The Rafale's finest hour has passed
- says the publication Galaxia Militar.
We are talking about Islamabad’s claims, partially confirmed by relevant footage, about the defeat of French-origin fighters by PL-15E long-range air-to-air missiles launched from the J-10C (missiles, as well as their carriers, were purchased from China). According to local sources, in solidarity with Pakistani pilots, Chinese pilots painted symbols of the aircraft that Islamabad claims were shot down on their J-10C aircraft - 3 Rafale, one Su-30MKI and MiG-21, and one Heron UAV:
It is a symbol of unbreakable brotherhood and a clear warning to opponents.
As Galaxia Militar notes, the Rafale's claims of failure have raised concerns among Indonesia's top defense planners. While the claims remain largely unverified, they have prompted the Defense Ministry to "quietly begin testing the Rafale's operational reliability."
With the first batch of Rafales scheduled to be delivered in early 2026, officials in Jakarta now face a delicate but important decision: whether to move forward, pause, or change course.
- explained in the publication.
The deal signed in 2022 to acquire Rafale jets equipped with advanced radars and weapons systems was meant to provide a leap forward for the country in modernising its air force.
But news Pakistan's shooting down of three Rafales in a recent clash with India has undermined the jet's combat reputation
- the author writes.
New Delhi has yet to officially confirm or deny the losses, but India's Air Marshal A.K. Bharti said "we are in a state of war, combat losses are expected." France's Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, has also remained silent. But sources say Paris is conducting its own investigation, examining radar records, telemetry and imagery to determine the veracity of the reports.
In Jakarta, the news did not go unnoticed.
- declares the author.
As Dave Laksono, a member of Indonesia's defence commission, explained, the reports cannot be ignored, they need to be verified and may require a "legitimate and constructive" reassessment, especially given that "the Rafale's battlefield credentials have long been a key selling point for its purchase."
The Rafale has enjoyed a stellar reputation in the global market so far. It is widely considered to be one of the most balanced 4,5 generation fighters, offering excellent maneuverability, EW and striking power
- says the publication.
However, as the author explains, the Rafale's combat experience in Libya, Mali and Syria was largely limited to ground-attack missions in asymmetric warfare against technologically inferior opponents. But the aircraft did not engage in combat against equal foes:
If the losses are confirmed, it would be a serious blow to France.
Shares in jet maker Dassault fell nearly 10% in the five days following news of the fighter jets being shot down, and analysts are now warning that potential buyers may begin to reconsider their purchasing strategies.
We cannot afford to buy a system that works well only on paper. We need fighting authority, not promises.
- noted a source in the Indonesian Air Force.
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