Jakarta. The Indonesian Air Force will receive another 18 Rafale fighter jets in phased deliveries between 2027 and 2029 as the country continues to build up its fleet of French-made combat aircraft, a senior Air Force official said Wednesday.

The aircraft are part of Indonesia's order for 42 Rafale fighters from French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.

“Next year, another 18 aircraft will begin arriving in stages, with deliveries expected to continue through 2029,” Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff Air Marshal Tedi Rizalihadi said at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta.

Tedi did not provide a detailed delivery schedule for the 18 aircraft but said the Air Force had prepared facilities needed to operate and maintain the new fighters.

He pointed to the operation of the Rafale at Squadron 12 at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, as evidence of the Air Force's readiness to operate the aircraft.

Indonesia has so far received six of the 42 Rafales it ordered. The first three arrived in early 2026, followed by another three in May.

The acquisition was structured in three tranches. The first contract for six aircraft took effect in September 2022, followed by an 18-aircraft tranche in August 2023. The final tranche of 18 became effective in January 2024, bringing Indonesia's confirmed order to 42 aircraft.

The agreement also covers training and logistical support for the Indonesian Air Force. Dassault Aviation describes Indonesia as its first-time military customer and the second Rafale customer in the Indo-Pacific region.

The arrival of the Rafale marks a significant diversification of Indonesia's fighter fleet, which has long relied on US-made F-16s and Russian-built Sukhoi aircraft.

The Air Force is also sending Rafale pilots to France for advanced training in weapons employment and air combat tactics as it builds operational experience with the new platform.

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