September 22, 2026 | 03:16 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The French Air Force has brought Rafale fighter jets and Airbus A400M transport aircraft to Jakarta as part of a stopover for the Mission Pegase 2026 in Indonesia.
Four Rafale jets and two Airbus A400Ms, along with three Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, were seen parked on the apron at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Tuesday.
"We are bringing nine aircraft of three types, which we call a winning combination or a magic combination," Major General Julien Sabene, Commander of the Mission Pegase 2026 mission, as quoted by ANTARA.
Sabene explained that Mission Pegase 2026's stopover in Indonesia is scheduled for September 20–25. As part of the activities, Rafale and A400M aircraft from the French Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force will conduct joint exercises for the first time.
Indonesia is set to receive the first three Rafale units in January 2026, while one Airbus A400M unit arrived in November 2025 and the second in March 2026.
"We have had the A400M and Rafale longer than you, but we are willing to share best practices so that we can learn from each other," said Sabane.
The Deputy Commander of the French Air Operations and Air Defense Command explained that the Mission Pegase 2026 runs from September 8 to October 15, comprising approximately 80 flight hours and a journey of 40,000 kilometers.
Before arriving in Jakarta, the Mission Pegase 2026—comprising approximately 270 aviators—completed a nine-hour flight from Japan.
Sabene explained that Indonesia was selected as a stopover country because France regards it as a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
"And Indonesia is a key country in the Indo-Pacific region—an essential one. That is why this is our fifth stop here; you are at the region's center of gravity. Furthermore, you now operate the same aircraft that we do: the Rafale," said Sabene.
The Airbus A330 MRTT is a multirole aircraft with a fuel capacity of up to 110 tons. It can refuel two fighter aircraft simultaneously in midair. This aircraft can carry hundreds of passengers or tens of tons of cargo over very long distances.
The Airbus A400M has a large cargo capacity and can rapidly deploy personnel, cargo, and combat vehicles via assault landings or airdrops on austere or minimally equipped runways.
In addition to logistics transport, the A400M performs medical evacuation, aerial refueling for helicopters, special forces support, and collaborative combat operations.
Meanwhile, the Rafale is a multirole fighter jet with advanced sensors, a Scorpion helmet sight, and a collaborative combat system designed for operation in high-threat environments.
Read: Where Will Indonesia Homeport Its First Aircraft Carrier from Italy?
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