Defense Minister Prabowo Visits France To Meet President Macron

Defense Minister and Elected President Prabowo Subianto (left) shook hands with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, Paris, Wednesday (24/7/2024). ANTARA/HO-Biro Public Relations of the Secretariat General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) and President-elect Prabowo Subianto visited France and met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, Paris.

Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General TNI Edwin Adrian Sumantha explained that Defense Minister Prabowo and President Macron discussed the bilateral RI-France cooperation and the global security situation that became the attention of the two countries.

In the same meeting, Prabowo said he was confident that President Macron was able to maintain and even increase cooperation between Indonesia and France.

"We appreciate Your Excellency President Macron for his important and active role in achieving the success of bilateral relations between the two countries. I am sure that Your Majesty will continue to maintain and enhance cooperation between Indonesia and France," said Defense Minister Prabowo as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, July 25.

Prabowo also congratulated France as the host of the 2024 Olympics which took place from July 24 to August 11, 2024.

"We believe this Olympics will be a huge success, showcase extraordinary talents from athletes from around the world, and unite countries in the spirit of true friendship and competition," Defense Minister Prabowo told President Macron.

At the Elysee Palace, Prabowo's arrival was greeted by a ceremony of ranks of troops. President Macron immediately welcomed Prabowo's arrival right in the courtyard of the Palace where Prabowo's car stopped.

The two of them greeted and had a short chat, then President Macron and Defense Minister Prabowo also took a group photo before the two entered the room.

Indonesia and France have been in diplomatic relations since September 1950, and while under Prabowo's leadership as Minister of Defense, Indonesia has bought quite a lot of defense equipment from France, ranging from fighter, submarine and radar aircraft.

In the purchase of the Rafale fighter aircraft from the Dassault Aviation, Indonesia in early 2024 officially bought up 42 fighter jets after activating the purchase contracts in stages in September 2022 and August 2023. The first unit of the Indonesian Rafalemesan is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia in 2026.

Then, Indonesia also purchased 13 units of the GCI radar system (ground control interception) from Thales, which is in collaboration with PT Len Indonesia. The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Defense, in April 2024 also announced the purchase of two Scorpene Evolved submarines from the French Naval Group.