Indonesian Air Force inducts new aircraft, weapons

Indonesia displayed Meteor and AASM Hammer air-launched weapons alongside its newly acquired Rafale combat aircraft at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on 18 May 2026. (Indonesia MoD)

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has transferred newly acquired aircraft, air-launched weapons, and a ground-based radar system to the Indonesian Air Force in support of the service's ongoing modernisation.

The aircraft included six Dassault Rafale fighters, four Falcon 8X transport aircraft, and one Airbus A400M multi role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft, according to the MoD. The air force also received newly acquired air-launched weapons such as the MBDA Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and the AASM Hammer air-to-surface weapon.

The air force formally accepted the platforms and weapon systems on 18 May at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta, the ministry said.

During the handover ceremony, the Indonesian government confirmed that the Rafale aircraft would be deployed with Air Squadron 12, which is based at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base on Sumatra. The handover completes Indonesia's initial acquisition of six Rafales.

The deployment of these various platforms supports the building of “an integrated and adaptive air force”, the MoD said.

According to the Indonesian government, “the Rafale aircraft will strengthen the air force's air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities through support from long-range Meteor and Hammer missiles”. The MoD's induction ceremony photographs show that the six fighters comprise four single-seat Rafale C and two double-seat Rafale B aircraft.