The first Rafale B fighter jet for the Indonesian Air Force has been spotted at the Dassault Aviation manufacturing facility in Bordeaux, marking a significant milestone in the country's multi-billion-dollar defense procurement deal with France.

The aircraft, bearing the serial number T-0301, was seen on July 30, 2025, and is part of an initial order of 24 Rafale multirole jets signed by Indonesia. Dassault Aviation is currently assembling the first six units, while an additional 18 aircraft were added earlier this year, bringing the total order to 42 units.

The delivery of the first Rafale jet is expected to take place in early 2026, according to aviation news outlet Scramble, which first reported the sighting.

The Rafale acquisition is part of Indonesia's broader efforts to modernize its aging air force fleet amid rising regional tensions and the shifting balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.

The Rafale is a twin-engine, delta-wing multirole fighter developed by Dassault Aviation. It is capable of conducting a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground support, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence. Indonesia is acquiring the two-seat Rafale B variant, which is optimized for training and strike missions.

In a separate development, state-owned aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) signed a partnership agreement with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to jointly develop and potentially co-produce the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet.

The deal could see Indonesia acquiring up to 48 units of the KAAN, formerly known as TF-X, if a purchase agreement is finalized.

Indonesia’s engagement with foreign partners in defense manufacturing has deepened in recent years. In May 2025, the country signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the French government covering multiple areas of cooperation, including defense procurement.

The government has been seeking to diversify its defense partnerships and reduce dependency on legacy systems from traditional suppliers. The deals with France and Turkiye signal Jakarta’s continued pursuit of modern and strategic military platforms to boost its defense capabilities.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said at the time that the agreement was focused on strategic platforms such as the Rafale fighter and Scorpène-class submarines developed by the French Naval Group.