French President Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced a new defense pact on Wednesday that could lead to more orders of French military equipment, including Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines.
Macron, speaking in Jakarta, said the agreement opens doors for future deals on jets, submarines, and frigates. Prabowo praised France as a key partner in Indonesia’s efforts to modernize its military through joint production and tech sharing.
Indonesia had previously agreed to buy Rafale jets in 2022, with the first six expected to arrive in 2026. It also signed a deal for two French submarines in 2024 and purchased 13 French-made surveillance radars in 2023.
Beyond defense, the two countries signed over 20 cooperation agreements worth more than $11 billion. One key deal involves French mining company Eramet partnering with Indonesian sovereign wealth funds to develop the country’s nickel industry—essential for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Macron and Prabowo also discussed the ongoing Gaza conflict. Prabowo stated Indonesia would be open to recognizing Israel—only if Palestine is also recognized by Israel. Macron reiterated his support for a two-state solution.
Big French firms like Danone and TotalEnergies also signed agreements during the visit, as Macron continues his Southeast Asia tour with Singapore next on the agenda.
China announced on Saturday its intention to establish a global organisation aimed at fostering international cooperation on artificial intelligence (...
Beijing has issued a geological disaster alert for most of the city after intense rainfall triggered fears of landslides and flash floods. Nearby Baod...
Australia has signed a long-term defence treaty with Britain to deepen cooperation on the AUKUS nuclear submarine initiative over the next 50 years, t...
Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan and the United States are 'very close' to finalising a trade agreement, suggesting the deal could be reached...
Liberal MPs are openly urging the Canadian government to follow France in recognising Palestine as a state.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly in September 2025. The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed his support to a two-state solution as a path for lasting peace.
Algeria has condemned a decision by French authorities to bar its diplomats from restricted zones at Paris airports, calling it a breach of diplomatic norms and a violation of international law.
Germany and France are aiming to end a long-standing rift over their joint fighter jet project by August, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron push for unity in European defence.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China announced on Saturday its intention to establish a global organisation aimed at fostering international cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), positioning itself as a counterbalance to the United States in the global AI race.
Beijing has issued a geological disaster alert for most of the city after intense rainfall triggered fears of landslides and flash floods. Nearby Baoding saw more than a year's worth of rain fall in just eight hours, displacing thousands and breaking historical records.
Australia has signed a long-term defence treaty with Britain to deepen cooperation on the AUKUS nuclear submarine initiative over the next 50 years, the government announced on Saturday.
Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan and the United States are 'very close' to finalising a trade agreement, suggesting the deal could be reached within days. However, U.S. officials made no mention of a specific timeline following Dar’s meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, the United States called on China to stop supporting Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, accusing Beijing of enabling Moscow’s aggression through the export of dual-use goods.
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