India Eyes Offering Rafale Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Services To Indonesia Following Jakarta's $8.1 Billion Fighter Jet Deal

India is actively positioning itself as a key player in the global defence maintenance sector by showcasing its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, particularly for the Rafale fighter jet, to Indonesia. This initiative comes on the heels of Indonesia's significant investment in the French-made aircraft.

In February 2022, the Indonesian Air Force signed a landmark $8.1 billion deal to acquire 42 Rafale fighter jets. Air Vice Marshal Sukadis confirmed the deal, highlighting its comprehensive nature, which includes training for pilots and technicians to ensure optimal aircraft performance.

India sees this as an opportunity to demonstrate its growing MRO expertise, crucial for the lifecycle management of advanced fighter aircraft. The Indian defence sector has been steadily developing its MRO infrastructure to support its own Rafale fleet and attract international clients. India has been operating Rafale jets since 2020 and has gained valuable experience in their maintenance and upkeep.

The offer to Indonesia involves providing a range of maintenance services, including routine checks, repairs, and overhauls, ensuring the Rafale jets remain in top operational condition. This not only extends the life and efficiency of the aircraft but also offers cost savings and strategic advantages to the Indonesian Air Force by localizing maintenance support.

Furthermore, by engaging in MRO activities for Indonesia's Rafale jets, India aims to deepen its defence cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation, potentially leading to further military partnerships and technology transfers. This move also aligns with India's "Make in India" initiative, which encourages the growth of domestic manufacturing and service industries in the defence sector.

By offering competitive and high-quality MRO services for the Rafale, India is strategically positioning itself as a regional hub for aircraft maintenance, strengthening its defence ties with Indonesia, and contributing to its own "Make in India" goals.

 

[Somebody]

Why would Indonesia pay India to maintain their Rafale.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

We should immediately order 36 additional Rafales for IAF and cancel the MRFA.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Great initiative by Bharat. This will help us earn some badly needed dollars. Our currency is down day by day against dollar. Trade deficit must be brought down.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

We should ask French to transfer this MRO to an Indian company.

 

[Akshat]

We should immediately order 36 additional Rafales for IAF and cancel the MRFA.

Then we will again make the Mirage mistake.

 

[Akshat]

Great initiative by Bharat. This will help us earn some badly needed dollars. Our currency is down day by day against dollar. Trade deficit must be brought down.

Trade deficit is in fact at an all time low in December. It came down by some 34%. Current Account Deficit is likely to hover around 0 this year, either just above it or just below it.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

The biggest blunder of IAF is that not giving order of another batch of 36 Rafael...It was a blunder...Govt was not ready for it because opposition raised scams on Rafael deals which was bulshit and govt just dont want to escalate it by ordering more Rafaels because in our country politics is more important than national security....

 

[PKPRS]

We should immediately order 36 additional Rafales for IAF and cancel the MRFA.

France will immediately deliver 36 Rafales after they are done delivering 252 Rafales for the export customers at the rate of 11-12/year.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Trade deficit is in fact at an all time low in December. It came down by some 34%. Current Account Deficit is likely to hover around 0 this year, either just above it or just below it.

FYI trade deficit in Dec 2024 in $22 billion. In Nov 2024 it was $34 billion. From April 2024 to Dec 2024 trade deficit was $210 billion. Zero in 2025? Seems unrealistic. I would be very happy if achieved.

 

[Hey]

France will immediately deliver 36 Rafales after they are done delivering 252 Rafales for the export customers at the rate of 11-12/year.

They have increased their capacity to 21

 

[PKPRS]

They have increased their capacity to 21

in 2024 they made only 13 Rafale’s , Dassault is predicting the production rate to fall even further down in 2025 and 2026 due to strained supply chain.

 

[Sandeep]

India can definitely offer a much cheaper and better service with its MRO capabilities than what they can offer.

 

[Akshat]

FYI trade deficit in Dec 2024 in $22 billion. In Nov 2024 it was $34 billion. From April 2024 to Dec 2024 trade deficit was $210 billion. Zero in 2025? Seems unrealistic. I would be very happy if achieved.

I really wish people would read my comments properly, bro. I ever said zero trade deficit. I said 0 Current Account Deficit. The deficit you mentioned is only for goods/merchandise. India traditionally imports more goods as it has to import things like petroleum, gold, gems and also raw materials or other stuff for industries. But our services exports are higher than our services imports. Add to it the repatriation amount, net income etc. Current Account Deficit takes into account all that. That number was 1.7% of GDP in 2013-2014, and had reduced to just 0.7% in the last year. This is likely to remain below 1% for the foreseeable future, which will be quite good.