Jakarta (ANTARA) – The French Air and Space Force has commended the tactical readiness and capabilities of Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) pilots operating newly acquired Rafale fighter jets, highlighting strong interoperability during joint exercises in Jakarta.
Major General Julien Sabene, commander of the Pegas 2026 mission, praised the Indonesian aviators while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of bilateral drills at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base on Tuesday.
“In terms of tactics, they are extremely good. They understand quickly, they fly the way we fly, so I have absolutely full confidence in their capability to reach the operational level,” Sabene said.
Sabene noted that several Indonesian pilots who previously trained in France are fluent in French, which has significantly accelerated their technical and operational mastery of the multirole aircraft.
Addressing advanced capabilities such as air-to-air refueling, Sabene acknowledged the complexity of the maneuver but expressed confidence that Indonesian pilots would master it.
“If they want to conduct air-to-air refueling training, it will be a no-brainer for them. It’s just a matter of having it in the syllabus and dedicating time to it, because air-to-air refueling is tricky. You have to learn it, but we are obviously willing to help with our expertise,” he added.
Speaking at the same event, Lieutenant Colonel Oliv Rizando, an Indonesian Rafale pilot and Chief of Operations and Training at the 3rd Fighter Wing at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base, outlined the rigorous qualifications required before pilots can operate the French-built jets.
Rizando explained that core competencies include air-to-air combat tactics and air-to-surface strike capabilities. He emphasized that the Rafale’s advanced avionics enhance pilots’ situational awareness by detecting and emitting specific signals during missions.
Furthermore, the aircraft’s high level of automation allows for pre-programmed autonomous flight, significantly reducing pilot workload in complex environments.
Rizando noted that the primary objective of the joint exercise, conducted under the bilateral CASSARD framework, is to master air-to-air refueling in order to extend the fighter fleet’s operational reach.
“The core of the CASSARD exercise we are conducting is air-to-air refueling. We are executing engagements with the French Air Force’s A330 MRTT tanker, a capability we must possess to extend the endurance and radius of action of our fighter aircraft,” Rizando said.
So far, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) has received only six Rafale fighter jets out of the 42 units contracted by the Ministry of Defense. The remaining Rafale jets will be delivered gradually over the next several years.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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