The PEGASSE Air Mission Back in Indonesia

RRI.CO.ID Jakarta - The French Air and Space Force will conduct Mission Pégase 2026, its 7th edition, from September 8 to October 15, 2026. This large-scale air power projection will follow a new route from the Arctic to the Indo-Pacific, before continuing to the Middle East. As part of the mission, the French fleet will make a stopover in Indonesia from September 20 to 25, 2026, underscoring France’s status as a sovereign nation in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to the Embassy of France in Jakarta, France has 1.6 million citizens and the world’s second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone, with the majority located in the Indo-Pacific. As a balancing power, France is committed to ensuring the Indian and Pacific Oceans remain open, in full respect of international law and national sovereignty. Indonesia is a key partner due to its strategic geopolitical position and shared vision for regional stability.

The defense partnership between France and Indonesia has grown rapidly over the past five years, supported at the highest political and military levels. This is reflected in major contracts signed between 2022-2024, including 42 Rafale fighter jets, 2 Scorpene submarines, and 13 Thales radars. The visits of President Prabowo to Paris in November 2024 and President Macron to Jakarta in May 2025 further elevated the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During the stopover in Indonesia, French Air Force Rafale fighter jets and A400M transport aircraft will conduct their first joint exercise with the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, share tactical expertise, and strengthen readiness to address regional security challenges. It marks a concrete step in the growing operational cooperation between the two air forces.

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 08.30 WIB, a Media Day will be held at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta. Journalists will have the opportunity to see up close the French aircraft participating in Pégase 2026: the Rafale fighter jet, Airbus A400M heavy transport, and A330 MRTT tanker. They will also observe aircraft on the ground and in flight, and speak directly with French and Indonesian military personnel.

Mission Pégase 2026 is more than a demonstration of capability. It is a symbol of France’s enduring presence in the Indo-Pacific. With stopovers in five countries including Indonesia, India, and the UAE, France aims to position itself as a reliable security partner. For Indonesia, the mission offers a chance to strengthen defense diplomacy and reaffirm its role as a global maritime axis.

The Pégase 2026 stopover in Indonesia marks a new chapter in bilateral defense cooperation. Beyond joint training, the mission paves the way for technology exchange, pilot training, and defense industry collaboration. With full support from both governments, the France-Indonesia partnership is set to grow further to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source : PR Ambassade de France