Second order for TNI-AU Rafale fighters confirmed

The Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU, Indonesian Air Force) has given the green light for their second tranche of eighteen Rafale fighter aircraft. This was disclosed by the French manufacturer Dassault, builder of this 'omnirole' aircraft.

The total Indonesian requirement is for 42 Rafales and after the firm order for the first batch of six fighters, this second batch of eighteen confirms that at least 24 will be delivered. Rafale orders have increased enormously since 2022 and production planning will be a challenge as Scramble Magazine first reported in January 2023. The backlog as of January was already 164 aircraft and these eighteen will be added to the list. With thirteen Rafales delivered in 2022, this while take a wile to build ...

Anyhow, the skies above Bordeaux are the place to watch over the coming years with this well filled production backlog.

Photo (just illustrative) by Danny Reijnen (Scramble Archive)