Indonesia’s $8.1 billion acquisition of 42 Rafale fighter jets from France is facing renewed public and political scrutiny after Pakistan’s military reported downing three Indian Rafales on May 7, 2025, during the Marka-e-Haq conflict, as cited by the South China Morning Post.
The Pakistan Air Force successfully shot down three Rafale jets using Chinese-made J-10C jets and PL-15 missiles. This incident has raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Rafale aircraft. In response, Indonesian officials have defended their decision to purchase Rafale jets, while also acknowledging the need for evaluations as part of their broader defence modernisation efforts.
Pakistan’s army claimed it downed five Indian warplanes, including three Rafales, using J-10Cs, per a statement reported by Xinhua. India’s Air Marshal AK Bharti acknowledged combat losses without specifics, while a French intelligence official confirmed one Rafale’s loss to CNN, potentially the aircraft’s first combat defeat. The event, part of the May 7–10 Pakistan-India clashes, sparked debate in Indonesia, where the Rafale deal is central to upgrading an ageing air force.
Dear Indonesian friends, you spent $8.1b to buy 42 Rafale fighter jets – this money could’ve bought 203 J-10Cs that defeated Rafales in Air battle between Pakistan & India days ago.
I feel your deal is not a good deal.😅 pic.twitter.com/HC2fi6Y72c
— ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) May 11, 2025Indonesia’s Rafale Deal
Dave Laksono, an Indonesian House Commission I member, dismissed the incident as inconclusive, stating, “Unverified claims in conflict zones cannot assess a weapons system’s effectiveness.” Per the Jakarta Post, he noted that advanced jets like the F-16 and F-22 have also been lost. Adhi Priamarizki of Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School emphasised the Rafale’s top-tier status, stressing pilot training and operational expertise.
Air Chief Marshal Mohamad Tonny Harjono confirmed the first six Rafales will arrive between February and March 2026, with pilot training in France starting in July 2025 and infrastructure development at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base, per Defence News. Laksono said the deal enhanced the interoperability of Indonesia’s territorial defence and radar and missile systems.
Read: China Hails Pakistan’s Hypersonic Missile Strike on India’s S-400 System
Reuters reported that French President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit from May 27 to 29, 2025, will deepen Jakarta-Paris ties following defence agreements in January.
Indonesia’s Rafale purchase complements a memorandum for 24 Boeing F-15EX jets, modernising a fleet reliant on ageing F-16s and Sukhois, per The Diplomat. The Rafale incident, while concerning, hasn’t derailed commitment, with Laksono highlighting stable government-to-government contracts.
Excuse me, but no F-22 was lost in combat before