Macron touts defence ties in Indonesia, backs Prabowo’s push for Palestine

The French president’s trip to Jakarta strengthened defence and economic links, securing deals and discussing Indonesia’s potential shift in stance on Israel

President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s deepening defence and economic ties with Indonesia during a visit to Jakarta, where the two countries signed a raft of major agreements and pledged to expand cooperation in areas ranging from arms procurement to nutrition and investment.

The war in Gaza was also discussed, with President Prabowo Subianto signalling a potential diplomatic shift by stating that Indonesia could recognise Israel – if it first acknowledges a sovereign Palestinian state – a stance Macron welcomed as part of broader efforts to promote peace in the Middle East.

Macron arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday evening after visiting Vietnam, where Hanoi signed more than US$10 billion in deals with French firms. His Indonesia stop, however, was as much about politics as it was about contracts – underscoring France’s expanding presence in Southeast Asia.

During Macron’s trip, several key defence agreements were signed, including a letter of intent for 42 Rafale fighter jets, two Scorpene submarines and 13 Thales long-range radar systems, according to Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who spoke to reporters on Tuesday after he welcomed the French leader at an air force base in Jakarta.

At a joint press conference on Wednesday, Prabowo said France was “one of Indonesia’s main partners in modernising defence equipment” and their defence ties reflected “a joint commitment to maintaining regional stability”.

The two leaders are set to visit a military academy in Central Java on Thursday, as part of efforts to deepen cooperation through joint training and capacity-building for Indonesian troops.

According to Macron, Indonesia’s military purchases, along with the joint drills between the two nations, underscored “an ever-increasing closeness between the soldiers of our armed forces”.

Indonesia ordered Rafale fighter jets in 2022 for around US$8 billion, as stated by a French defence ministry spokesman at the time. The contract values for the Scorpene submarines and Thales radar systems remain undisclosed.

Indonesia’s defence ministry said in July that five of the long-range Thales radars would be installed in the country’s new capital, Nusantara, on Borneo.

The Palestine issue

The two leaders also discussed the war in Gaza, where Prabowo lauded Macron’s commitment to “encourage a peaceful resolution to the Palestine problem”.

“France will also continue to support steps towards Palestine’s independence. France will also continue to urge the immediate implementation of a cessation of armed activities in Gaza,” Prabowo said.

While Indonesia has been a vocal supporter for Palestine’s freedom, Prabowo said the country “must also recognise and guarantee Israel’s right to stand as a sovereign nation and a nation whose security must also be respected and guaranteed.”

“Therefore, Indonesia also said that once the State of Palestine is recognised by Israel, Indonesia is ready to recognise Israel and is ready to open diplomatic relations,” Prabowo said.

Prabowo previously criticised the West’s “double standard” arguing that Washington supports Israel’s actions in Gaza while condemning Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

Macron said France “does not recognise a double standard” when it comes to the war in Gaza.

“We condemn Hamas’ attacks and recognise Israel’s right to defend itself, while we also ask for an end to military aggression, and we will try to restore peace [in Gaza],” Macron said.

“I thank Prabowo for his very clear statement and commitment” on the Palestinian issue, Macron added.

Prabowo expressed support for a June UN conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, which aims to encourage recognition of both Palestine and Israel by European and Middle Eastern nations. He also noted that Indonesia was “ready to contribute peacekeeping troops” to the region if needed.

Other deals

Aside from defence, other memorandum of understandings signed at the presidential palace on Wednesday. One notable deal was between French food giant Danone and Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency, which oversees Prabowo’s flagship programme to provide free meals to more than 89 million schoolchildren, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

Indonesia’s new sovereign wealth fund Danantara also signed an agreement with French miner Eramet, which will support the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia.

According to Prabowo, Macron supported the conclusion of the long-delayed Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The negotiation for the free trade agreement began in July 2016, but its conclusion has been delayed due to various reasons, including determining fair access to each other’s markets.

Prabowo also stated that France supports Indonesia’s ascension to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development – an intergovernmental organisation with 38 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and global trade.

Macron is set to visit the Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist temple in Central Java, on Thursday to symbolise increased cultural ties between Indonesia and France. To reciprocate, Macron invited Prabowo to be a guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 14, an invitation Prabowo has gladly accepted.

“In the past, when I was in Paris, I would watch [the parade] from the side of the road, but now, thanks to [Macron], I can see it from the podium,” Prabowo said.