Indonesia and France Conduct Joint Air Refueling Training, Defense Ministers Observe

Indonesian and French Rafale fighter jets conducted aerial refueling exercises during the PEGASE 2026 Mission. The joint exercise, held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta, was witnessed by Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin, Thursday, September 24. The two ministers observed various maneuvers by the Indonesian Air Force and the French Air and Space Forces. In addition to aerial refueling of Rafale jets from the A330 MRTT tanker, the exercise included troop deployment using the A400M transport aircraft of both nations. "The PEGASE 2026 mission in Indonesia is an opportunity to further strengthen interoperability and cooperation between the Indonesian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force," stated Sjafrie through his official Instagram account, as quoted by Antara, Friday, September 25. Interoperability refers to the ability of the two countries' armed forces to conduct joint operations, including using aircraft of the same type. This exercise marks a new experience for the Indonesian Air Force, which began operating the Rafale and A400M. Indonesia received its first three Rafale fighter jets in January 2026. Meanwhile, the first A400M arrived in November 2025, followed by the second unit in March 2026. For the PEGASE 2026 Mission, France deployed four Rafale jets, two A400Ms, and three A330 MRTT tanker aircraft to Jakarta. Major General Julien Sabene, Commander of the PEGASE 2026 Mission, said France was ready to share its experience in operating both types of aircraft. "We have had the A400M and the Rafale for longer than you, but we are willing to share best practices so that we can learn from each other," Sabene said. The A330 MRTT has a fuel capacity of up to 110 tons and is capable of refueling two fighter aircraft at once in the air. Meanwhile, the A400M can transport troops, combat vehicles, and military equipment, including for operations on runways with limited facilities. Sjafrie assessed that the exercise was beneficial for improving the operational capabilities of the pilots as well as strengthening the defense relationship between the two countries. "The Indonesian-French defense partnership must continue to be directed at concrete, mutually beneficial cooperation, and be able to increase the professionalism and readiness of both armed forces, as well as contribute to the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region," he said. Indonesia served as one of the stopover countries for the PEGASE 2026 Mission from September 20 to 25. Overall, this mission takes place from September 8 to October 15, covering a distance of about 40,000 kilometers with a total flight time of about 80 hours. Before arriving in Jakarta, the French contingent, consisting of around 270 aviation personnel, traveled nine hours from Japan. Sabene said Indonesia was chosen because it had a strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region. This is the fifth stop for France in a series of similar missions in Indonesia. "Indonesia, in the Indo-Pacific region, is an important country, a must. That's why this is the fifth time we've stopped here, because you're at the center of gravity of this region," said Sabene.