“The golden age of Rafale is over”: Indonesia is the first to suspend the purchase of French fighters after their debacle with Pakistan
France, May 17, 2025 – Indonesia’s massive $8.1 billion order for 42 Rafale fighters from France has been called into question after the aircraft’s unsuccessful debut in recent combat between the Indian and Pakistani air forces. The purchase has been suspended. The contract may be disrupted due to alarming allegations of their poor performance during recent hostilities. Rafale’s finest hour is over
We are talking about Islamabad’s statements, partially confirmed by the relevant footage, about the defeat of French-origin fighters by long-range PL-15E air-to-air missiles launched from J-10C (Chinese missiles and fighters). According to local sources, in a sign of solidarity with Pakistani pilots, Chinese pilots placed symbols of the aircraft shot down, according to Islamabad – 3 Rafale, one Su-30MKI and one MiG-21 and one Heron drone – on their J-10C aircraft:
“It is a symbol of indestructible brotherhood and a clear warning to adversaries”
The statements about the defeat of the Rafale have raised concerns among leading Indonesian defense planners. Although these claims remain largely unverified, they have prompted the Ministry of Defense to “quietly begin testing the operational reliability of the Rafale”.
At the same time, the delivery of the first Rafales is scheduled for early 2026, in connection with which Jakarta officials now face a delicate but important decision: whether to move forward, pause or change course. The deal, signed in 2022 to acquire the Rafale, equipped with advanced radar and weapons systems, was supposed to provide the country with a leap in air force modernization. However, the report that Pakistan shot down three Rafales in a recent clash with India has undermined the aircraft’s combat reputation.
New Delhi has not yet officially confirmed or denied the losses, but Indian Air Marshal A.K. Bharti said that “we are at war, combat losses are expected.” The French concern Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, has also remained silent. However, sources say that Paris is conducting its own investigation, examining radar records, telemetry and imagery to determine the credibility of the reports. The news did not go unnoticed in Jakarta. As explained by Dave Laxono, a member of the Indonesian Defense Commission, the existing reports cannot be ignored, they need to be verified and may require a “legitimate and constructive” reassessment, especially given that “the Rafale’s battlefield reliability has long been a key argument in favor of its purchase”.
The Rafale has enjoyed a stellar reputation in the global market. It has been widely considered one of the most balanced 4.5 generation fighters, as it offers excellent maneuverability, electronic warfare capabilities and strike power. Its combat experience in Libya, Mali and Syria has been limited mainly to working on ground targets as part of waging an asymmetric war with technologically backward adversaries. But this aircraft has not participated in combat with the same enemy. If the losses are confirmed, it will be a serious blow to France.
Shares in manufacturer Dassault fell nearly 10% in five days after news of the fighter jet’s defeat emerged, and analysts are now warning that potential buyers may start to rethink their purchasing strategies. They can’t afford to buy a system that only works well on paper.
