Emmanuel Macron praised, on Wednesday, May 28, on Wednesday, May 28, during his visit to Indonesia, the second stage of his tour in Southeast Asia, an “unprecedented link”, especially in terms of security and defense, with this country, the most populous room in the world, which has become the first client of the French armament industry in the region.
On the occasion of this trip, French companies have signed contracts for a total amount of 17 billion euros, Elysée said. Totalergy, hydrogen of
France and the Lesaffre group are particularly concerned.
A strategic association in the field of defense
While France and Indonesia celebrate this year the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the two countries are now linked by a strategic association in the field of defense, which resulted in 2022 by an order of 42 Rafale hunting planes in the Aviation of Dassault.
“I greet Indonesia’s intention to consider an additional Rafale pack,” said Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, along with the French president. The first deliveries (42 ordered devices) are scheduled for early 2026, says the airplane manufacturer.
In fact, so far an explosion has not been delivered to Indonesia. The head of the Indonesian Air Force, Mohamad Tonny Harjono, said in February that the first six planes would be received in early 2026, according to the Antara agency. Indonesia also ordered last year of two scorps underwater with the Naval Group and, in 2023, of 13 long -range surveillance radars in Thales.
He elected president last year, Pabowo Sui -Bianto was Minister of Defense at the end of these contracts. “We have consolidated in recent years in defense and security an unprecedented link and I am happy that the letter of intention signed today can open a new perspective with new Rafale commands, (submarines) Escorpene, Light Franks, also with consolidated joint exercises, joint training and a more solid intimacy among our armies with information exchange,” said Emmanuel Macron Press.
In addition to these possible orders mentioned by the French president, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, spoke of the possible future acquisition by Indonesia of additional César canons and his ammunition with the
Franco-German Group.
Indonesia, rich in mineral resources
Beyond the defense problems, Emmanuel Macron is also accompanied by Paulo Castellari, new general director of ERAMET, in the French delegation present in Indonesia, a country rich in mineral resources. The president of the group, Christel Bories, said that this could be an opportunity for ERAMET to discuss an operational license linked to the Weda Bay nickel mine.
Indonesia is Nickel’s world leader and has the largest known reserves in this metal used in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries. ERAMET announced on Wednesday the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Investment Management Agency of Indonesia, Danantara Indonesia, and the Indonesian Investment Authority “to study the creation of a strategic investment platform in the Nickel sector, which covers the entire value chain, from extraction to industrial transformation.”
Emmanuel Macron must visit Java Island on Thursday before flying to Singapore, the last stage of this tour in Southeast Asia.
Source: BFM TV
