Jakarta. Indonesia has beefed up its air power with 6 Rafale fighter jets and several other foreign planes in a move that President Prabowo Subianto rings alarm on today's geopolitical uncertainties.

Indonesia has ordered 42 Rafale jets from the French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation, with the aircraft delivered in stages. Southeast Asia's biggest economy flaunted the first six units in a ceremony at the Halim Perdanakusuma base in Jakarta on Monday. The Indonesian Air Force welcomed several new Falcon 8X business jets for VVIP passengers, ground-controlled interception radar, and Airbus-made A400M military cargo aircraft that day.

“We must boost our defense as a deterrent. We have no other interests besides protecting our territory. The world’s geopolitical situation is now full of uncertainty. Defense has become a primary requirement for stability and sovereignty,” Prabowo told the press.

Prabowo talked of Indonesia’s plans to “keep building its strength”, although he did not explicitly say whether this will translate into more concrete orders.

“We want to secure our airspace, seas, and land.”

Jakarta agreed to purchase 42 Rafale jets in 2022 as part of a deal that news wire Reuters reported to be worth $8.1 billion. This made Indonesia the biggest French arms client in the region. The initial 3 planes arrived in January, followed by another three units this month. Despite Prabowo’s frequent talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Indonesia is not yet convinced about increasing its Rafale order.

Defense Ministry’s spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait last month told the Jakarta Globe that Indonesia was “still reviewing the idea” of buying more Rafales.

Prabowo -- a retired army general -- doesn’t hold back on military spending. In 2026 alone, the government has set aside Rp 337 trillion (roughly $19 billion) for defense. His intention of replacing the country's ageing fleet has existed long before the ongoing Iran war, as Indonesia sealed a deal to acquire 48 Turkish-made KAAN fighter aircraft last year.