Macron courts Jakarta, offers Indonesia 'third way' in regional power play
French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Indonesia is part of France's ongoing efforts to increase its engagement in Southeast Asia and pursue a strategic role as a balancing power in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Jakarta stop, following a visit to Vietnam earlier in the week, is the second leg of a broader regional tour designed to promote Macron's so-called 'third way' – a middle path between the growing influence of the United States and China.
As Southeast Asia's largest economy and the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has become a key partner in this vision.
During Macron's visit this Wednesday, the two countries signed a series of agreements across defence, trade, agriculture, energy, and disaster management.
Macron champions 'rules-based order' as France courts Vietnam
Defence cooperation took centre stage in the talks, with Macron confirming a letter of intent that could lead to new Indonesian orders for French Rafale fighter jets, Scorpène submarines, and light frigates - building on a €7 billion deal in 2022 for 42 Rafales.
While France has yet to deliver any Rafales, the planned arrival of the first six in 2026 signals a steady shift in Indonesia's procurement strategy.
Jakarta, once reliant on Russian military equipment, is now turning increasingly to French suppliers.
The visit also had a strong diplomatic dimension, particularly on the Israel-Palestine issue.
Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Former admiral urges Australia to renege on Aukus deal and buy French subsFrance and Japan hold joint military exercises in signal to China, RussiaMacron champions France's military role in Djibouti as key to Indo-Pacific strategy
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