"To this day, [Indonesia] has not made a decision to acquire more Rafale units," Ricardo told Jakarta Globe on Wednesday. "The government is still reviewing the idea."
A meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday sparked speculation about potential purchases of aviation equipment by the Asian nation.
The leaders' talks were of a general nature and concerned issues of military cooperation and strengthening the defense industry, without specific agreements on new contracts being made, the spokesman said.
The leaders' talks were of a general nature and concerned issues of military cooperation and strengthening the defense industry, without specific agreements on new contracts being made, the spokesman said.
The $8.1-billion contract for the supply of 42 Rafale fighter jets was signed in 2022. Deliveries are proceeding in stages, with the first three aircraft arriving in Indonesia in January. The next batch is expected in early May. The deal also provides for pilot training, logistical support and the creation of a training center with simulators.
In recent years, Indonesia has been actively modernizing its armed forces. The country's defense budget for 2026 is set at around 337 trillion rupiah ($19.7 billion). It has also announced plans to purchase 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey.