Indonesia to Deploy Rafale Fighter Jets at Pekanbaru and Pontianak Air Bases

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Indonesia will station its newly acquired French-made Rafale fighter jets at two key Air Force bases: Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, and Supadio Air Base in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

These 4.5 generation Rafale fighter jets, set to join the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU), will replace the aging fleet of BAE Hawk 100/200 light combat aircraft currently operated by Air Squadron 1 in Pontianak and Air Squadron 12 in Pekanbaru.

The strategic placement of the Rafale jets in Pekanbaru is believed to enhance Indonesia’s aerial surveillance over the busy Strait of Malacca.

Meanwhile, their deployment in Pontianak is likely aimed at intensifying monitoring of the resource-rich Natuna waters, an area abundant in oil and gas.

Indonesia’s procurement of 42 Rafale fighter jets marks a significant milestone in the modernization of its armed forces, particularly the Air Force.

The country is expected to receive its first Rafale unit in 2026.

To support the integration of the Rafale fleet, facilities at both airbases—including hangars, ammunition storage, and other operational infrastructures—have been upgraded.

Recently, Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, met with Air Chief Marshal M. Tonny Harjono in Jakarta to discuss measures for integrating the Rafale jets into the TNI-AU fleet.

A critical step in this process involves pilot training, which is scheduled to commence in July this year.

A group of TNI-AU pilots will be sent to France for intensive training under the supervision of French Air Force instructors.

According to Air Chief Marshal Harjono, this training is vital to ensuring the effective operation of the Rafale jets and enhancing Indonesia’s air defense capabilities.

Earlier this year, Indonesia finalized the purchase of an additional 18 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, bringing its total Rafale fleet to 42 aircraft.

This follows previous procurement phases: six jets in September 2022 and 18 jets in August 2023.

The entire Rafale acquisition is estimated to cost RM32 billion.

Indonesia and France formalized the Rafale procurement agreement in early 2022.

Defense analysts view this purchase as a strategic move to bolster Indonesia’s air defense capabilities and strengthen its geopolitical standing in the Indo-Pacific region.

Alfin Febrian Basundoro, writing in the Journal of International Relations, highlighted that the Rafale acquisition is a critical component of Indonesia’s strategic hedging in the Indo-Pacific, allowing the nation to balance power dynamics amid rising regional tensions, especially concerning China’s naval expansion in the South China Sea.

Dassault Rafale Technical Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Dassault Aviation (France)

• Type: Multirole fighter aircraft

• Variants: Rafale B (two-seater), Rafale C (single-seater), Rafale M (carrier-based variant)

Dimensions:

• Length: 15.3 meters

• Wingspan: 10.9 meters

• Height: 5.3 meters

• Wing Area: 45.7 square meters

Weight:

• Empty Weight: 10,300 kg

• Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 24,500 kg

• Internal Fuel Capacity: 4,700 kg

Performance:

• Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8 (approx. 2,222 km/h)

• Range: 3,700 km (with drop tanks)

• Combat Radius: 1,852 km

• Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)

• Rate of Climb: 305 meters/second

Engines:

• Type: 2 × Snecma M88-2 turbofan engines

• Thrust: 50 kN (dry) / 75 kN (with afterburner) each

Armament:

• Cannon: 1 × 30 mm GIAT cannon (125 rounds)

• Weapon Stations: 14 (Rafale B/C), 13 (Rafale M)

• Missiles:

  • Air-to-Air: MICA IR/EM, Meteor

  • Air-to-Ground: AASM Hammer, SCALP EG

  • Anti-Ship: Exocet AM39 Block 2, ASMP-A (nuclear-capable)

• Smart Bombs: Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB), Paveway II/III, AASM

 

Avionics:

• Radar: Thales RBE2 AESA radar

• Electronic Warfare (EW) System: Thales SPECTRA

• Targeting Systems: Damocles / Talios targeting pod

• Helmet Display: Next-generation helmet-mounted display system

Operational Capabilities:

• Multirole: Capable of air-to-air, air-to-ground, reconnaissance, strategic bombing, and maritime strike missions

• Aerial Refueling: Equipped with in-flight refueling capability via probe

Designed for versatility, the Rafale can conduct multiple mission profiles in a single sortie, solidifying its role as a vital component of Indonesia’s air defense arsenal. — DSA