The French government showcased various military aircraft to Indonesia, including the newly purchased Dassault Rafale fighter jet, at the Pégase 2024 Mission held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
In addition to the Rafale, France displayed two other aircraft: the Airbus A400M Atlas and Airbus A330 MRTT Phénix. Brigadier General Guillaume Thomas, Commander of the Pégase 2024 Mission, said that this mission aims to demonstrate France’s strength in the Indo-Pacific region.
“This is the longest mission we’ve ever conducted,” Thomas told a press conference.
The military equipment will be on display at Halim Air Base until July 27, 2024.
The event was attended by journalists and photography enthusiasts who witnessed flight demonstrations by the Rafale and Airbus A400M. These demonstrations featured pilots from the French Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force.
Indonesia has ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2026. The Rafale has an empty weight of 10 tons, a maximum speed of 1,384 kilometers per hour, and can carry up to 9 tons of weaponry. It is equipped with laser-guided missiles, long-range SCALP missiles, air-to-ground and long-range Hammer missiles, and anti-ship AM35 Exocet missiles.
Thomas said that the systems used in the Rafale have been upgraded, particularly in connectivity and weapon capabilities for aerial combat.
“This 4.5-generation fighter jet is very close to the fifth generation,” he added.
Initially designed for air combat, the Rafale has evolved to target ground and maritime objectives. Other jets in the 4.5-generation category include the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F-18 Super Hornet, Sukhoi Su-30, and McDonnell Douglas F-15 Strike Eagle. Fifth-generation fighter jets, such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning, are known for their stealth capabilities.
Alongside the Rafale, France also showcased the Airbus A400M Atlas, a large transport aircraft with a length of 45 meters, a wingspan of 42 meters, and capable of carrying loads up to 37 metric tons, including armored personnel carriers (APCs) and trucks.
The Pégase Mission is part of France’s defense strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, running from June 27 to August 15, 2024. The mission includes visits to Canada, Alaska, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Qatar, and Egypt. In Singapore, France will conduct a joint military exercise with the UK, known as Griffin Strike.
