France Calls Indonesia Key Defense Partner in Indo-Pacific

September 22, 2026 | 04:42 pm

President Prabowo Subianto inspects a Rafale fighter jet during the handover ceremony of major defense equipment from the Government to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, May 18, 2026. The government is modernizing the Air Force's defense inventory by handing over six Rafale MRCA fighter jets-part of a 42-unit procurement-along with four Falcon 8X aircraft, one A-400M aircraft, GM403 GCI radar systems, Hammer smart weapons, and Meteor missiles. These measures aim to strengthen the military to safeguard the stability and sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia across its air, sea, and land territories. Tempo/Imam Sukamto

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - France has identified Indonesia as a key defense partner in the Indo-Pacific, with the two countries set to conduct their first joint exercise involving Rafale fighter jets and Airbus A400M military transport aircraft.

The exercise is part of France’s Pegase 2026 mission, a long-range deployment that will bring French Air and Space Force aircraft to nine countries between September 8 and October 15. The French contingent is in Indonesia from September 20 to 25.

Major General Julien Sabene, commander of the Pegase 2026 mission, said Indonesia’s strategic location makes it an important stop for the French military.

“Indonesia is a very important country and a necessity in the Indo-Pacific region. That is why this is the fifth time we have stopped here, because you are at the center of gravity of this region,” Sabene said on the sidelines of a joint exercise with the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Indonesia has also become more significant to France’s defense cooperation as the TNI AU now operates Rafale fighter jets and A400M aircraft, Sabene said.

The French mission comes as France seeks to maintain a military presence in the Indo-Pacific, where it has overseas territories and citizens. Sabene said around 2 million French citizens live in the region, requiring France to maintain the capability to protect them if necessary.

“Indonesia is a key strategic partner for us. France is directly connected to the Indo-Pacific region. We have around two million citizens in this area. We have to be present to protect them if necessary,” said Sabene, who also serves as deputy commander of France’s Air Operations and Air Defense Command.

Why Indonesia Is a Key Stop

Sabene said Indonesia’s geography also makes it valuable for the French military to train and operate in the region.

The country’s thousands of islands, remote airstrips and tropical conditions provide an environment that France wants to better understand, he said.

“I know Indonesia is a very large country, larger than any European country, even resembling a continent. I understand that Indonesia has around 17,000 islands, so you have expertise in the Indo-Pacific region that we want to learn from,” Sabene said.

The Pegase 2026 deployment is designed as a global air operation spanning the Arctic, Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Along with Indonesia, the mission will pass through Greenland, Canada, Alaska, South Korea, Japan, India, Qatar and Egypt.

First Rafale and A400M Exercise

The joint activities in Indonesia will include Rafale fighter jets and A400M aircraft operated by the French and Indonesian air forces.

It will be the first time the two countries conduct a joint exercise involving both aircraft types, according to Sabene.

The exercise is intended to improve the two militaries’ operational readiness and strengthen their cooperation despite differences in their respective operating environments and missions.

Sabene said the cooperation also reflects the two countries’ ability to operate together after years of military engagement.

“If Indonesia needs us, we will be here within hours. We have proven many times that we can fly directly from France with several stops and then work together intelligently because we already know each other,” he said.

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