French Rafale fighters and A400M transports land in Jakarta for Mission Pegase stopover

During the Mission Pegase 2026 stopover, the French Air Force stationed four Rafale fighter jets, two Airbus A400M transport aircraft and three A330 MRTT tankers on the apron of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta. Major General Julien Sabene, commander of the mission, explained that the five-day visit, scheduled for September 20-25, will feature the first joint drills between French and Indonesian air forces, reflecting Indonesia’s role as a key Indo-Pacific partner.

Indonesia expects to take delivery of three Rafale fighters in January 2026, having already received two A400M transports in late 2025 and early 2026. Mission Pegase 2026, which began on September 8 and will conclude on October 15, involves roughly 270 crew members, 80 flight hours and a 40,000-kilometre itinerary that included a nine-hour leg from Japan. Sabene emphasized the mutual exchange of operational experience, noting that France has operated the A400M and Rafale longer but is eager to share best practices. The deployed aircraft showcase capabilities ranging from multirole combat to aerial refueling and rapid cargo deployment.