Indonesia on Thursday (Feb 10) ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from France and may acquire two French submarines.
Indonesia’s first order for French warplanes comes as Jakarta replaces an ageing fleet as concerns grow about rising US-China tensions in Asia.
Meanwhile, the US State Department said it had approved the potential F-15s sale along with other assorted military equipment for an estimated US$14 billion.
It did not mention China, whose rise Washington is seeking to counter in the region, and gave no indication when the sale could be concluded.
The Rafale deal is the latest sign of warming ties between Jakarta and Paris as France rethinks its alliances in the region following the collapse in September of a multibillion-dollar Australian submarine deal.
Australia is now obtaining nuclear-powered submarines as part of the new defence alliance, named Aukus, which brings together Canberra, Washington and London to counter a rising China.
Source: News Channel
