France is Indonesia's main strategic partner in the geopolitical and geostrategic aspectsJakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto commended France as a strategic partner of Indonesia in terms of the geopolitical and geostrategic aspects.
"France is Indonesia's main strategic partner in the geopolitical and geostrategic aspects," Subianto stated while receiving the visit of Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force General Stéphane Mille at the Defence Ministry office here, Monday, as per the official statement.
During the visit, the minister highlighted successes achieved by both countries to boost relations in various aspects. He also lauded Mille's active efforts to bolster bilateral relations between Indonesia and France.
Subianto stated that France has a strategic role to maintain peace as well as security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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He also lauded the French government's support to modernize Indonesia's military equipment and weaponry system.
The minister remarked that the acquisition of French military equipment and weapons will enhance Indonesia's defence capability through technology transfer and bilateral cooperation.
Earlier, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her French counterpart, Catherine Colonna, agreed to boost partnership between both nations, especially in the field of defense.
The two ministers met on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday (June 8).
"Both foreign ministers also agreed to immediately hold a 2+2 meeting (foreign ministers and defense ministers) this year," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a statement on Saturday (June 9).
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Indonesia and France inked several agreements on defense cooperation, including a contract to purchase six Rafale fighter aircraft between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and French military aircraft manufacturer Dassault, which is the start of a larger contract for the next 36 Rafale fighter aircraft.
Both nations also signed an MoU on research and development cooperation between Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL and the Naval Group, an MoU on the Offset and ToT Program cooperation between Dassault and Indonesian aircraft manufacturer PT DI, an MoU on cooperation in the telecommunications sector between PT LEN and Thales Group, as well as cooperation for the manufacture of large-caliber ammunition between PT Pindad and Nexter Munition.
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Translator: Syaiful Hakim, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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