Jakarta (WNAM MONITORING): Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to visit military training and education activities at the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday.
“I have also invited President Macron to join me in inspecting the educational and training activities at the Military Academy in Magelang,” Prabowo said while issuing a joint press statement with Macron at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
The press statement was delivered after a bilateral meeting between the two heads of state and their delegations at the palace.
In his speech, Prabowo highlighted Indonesia and France’s robust security and defense ties.
He said he and Macron had a positive interaction during the 11th Indonesia-France Defense Dialogue held in Jakarta last month.
He further pointed out that Indonesia took part in the France-led La Perouse multinational military exercise, which took place in Indonesian waters in January this year.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin revealed that the two leaders are expected to visit a French language learning laboratory at the Military Academy.
After welcoming Macron at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta, he informed that the lab is designed to impart French language skills to both commissioned and non-commissioned military officers before their deployment to France.
Indonesia-France defense cooperation has continued to advance, especially during Prabowo’s stint as defense minister in 2019–2024.
During the period, Indonesia officially purchased 42 Rafale fighter jets made by French company Dassault Aviation. Six of which are expected to arrive in early 2026.
It also announced the purchase of two Scorpene submarines made by Naval Group, another French company.
Indonesia also purchased a GCI radar made by French company Thales.
