Latest news with #défense
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Indonesian and French leaders meet for defense and trade talks
French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday in a visit aimed at boosting defense and trade cooperation as part of his roughly week-long trip to Southeast Asia focused on strengthening regional ties in an increasingly unstable global landscape. Macron arrived in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, on Tuesday evening with French First Lady Brigitte Macron for a three-day visit to Southeast Asia's largest economy. It was the second stop in his tour of the region after Vietnam, where Macron signed a deal to sell Hanoi 20 Airbus planes. 'We are very excited to meet again with my brother, President Prabowo,' Macron told reporters shortly after arriving at Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma air force base late Tuesday, 'He is a great friend of mine and the relationship with your country is a very strategic and friendly one." Military cooperation between Indonesia and France has grown in recent years, while Subianto was serving as Indonesia's defense minister. The two leaders met last November on the sidelines of the 2024 G20 Summit in Brazil, where they discussed Indonesia's plans to buy fighter jets and submarines from France. Indonesia finalized an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets in January 2024, and the first delivery is expected in early 2026. The country also announced the purchase of two French Scorpene Evolved submarines and 13 Thales ground control interception radars. Five of the radar systems are expected to be installed in the country's new capital, Nusantara. Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the two leaders will oversee the signing of letter of intent for the procurement of strategic weapons systems including fighter planes and submarines. 'The essence of this (visit) is to strengthen defense cooperation between Indonesia and France,' Sjamsoeddin told reporters after welcoming Macron and his wife at the air force base on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Subianto hosted Macron and Brigitte in a ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta before the two leaders led a bilateral meeting. Indonesia has embarked on a drive to upgrade and modernize its arsenal and strengthen its domestic defense industry. Subianto has crisscrossed the globe since he was appointed as defense minister in 2019, traveling to China, France, Russia, Turkey and the United States in a bid to acquire new military weapon systems as well as surveillance and territorial defense capabilities. The Indonesian Air Force currently operates a mix of fighter jets made in various countries, including the United States, Russia and Britain. Some of those aircraft have reached or will soon reach their end-of-life phase and need to be replaced or upgraded. During the visit, Macron is also scheduled to meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn to discuss regional issues, and to give public lectures at Jakarta State University. On Thursday, Macron and his wife are expected visit Borobudur, a 9th century Buddhist temple in the center of Indonesia's Java island and to visit a military academy before heading to Singapore, where he will speak at Asia's top defense conference, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.
South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
French President Macron hopes for defence, energy and tech deals as he starts Asia trip
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday that he hoped to strike deals for France in areas such as defence, energy and tech innovation, as he arrived in Vietnam for the start of a roughly week-long trip in Asia. Advertisement Macron arrived in Hanoi on Sunday, marking the first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade. After Vietnam, Macron will then go to Indonesia and finish up in Singapore , where he will speak at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top defence conference. Macron's visit comes as France and the European Union aim to strengthen their commercial ties in Asia to offset uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's tariff measures. 'I am coming here to strengthen our ties in key areas – defence, innovation, the energy transition, and cultural exchanges,' wrote Macron on social media. Advertisement
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Macron hopes for defence, energy and tech deals in Asia
French President Emmanuel Macron is hoping to strike defence, energy and tech innovation deal, as he arrived in Vietnam for the start of a roughly week-long trip in Asia. Macron arrived in Hanoi on Sunday, marking the first trip to Vietnam by a French president in nearly a decade. After Vietnam, Macron will then go to Indonesia and finish up in Singapore, where he will speak at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top defence conference. Macron's visit comes as France and the European Union aim to strengthen their commercial ties in Asia to offset uncertainty over US President Donald Trump's tariff measures. Après un long voyage, nous arrivons à Hanoï avec la délégation franç étape d'une tournée stratégique au Vietnam, en Indonésie puis à Singapour. C'est dans cette région de l'Indopacifique que se joue une part de notre avenir à tous, Françaises et Français.… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 25, 2025 "I am coming here to strengthen our ties in key areas - defence, innovation, the energy transition, and cultural exchanges," Macron said on X. Macron will present France and Europe as defenders of international cooperation and rules-based trade, at a time when other world powers such as the US under Trump and China use more "coercive" or "predatory" methods. "France is a reliable partner, one which believes in dialogue and co-operation," Macron said on X.
NHK
07-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Macron, new German Chancellor Merz pledge stronger Franco-German ties
French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, have agreed to strengthen cooperation to play a leadership role in helping Europe deal with threats from Russia and other challenges. Merz, who took office on Tuesday, visited France on his first trip abroad as the new German leader the following day. Following their talks, Merz told reporters that Europe has enormous challenges and will only be able to meet them if France and Germany stand even more closely together than in the past. Macron said European security is their most important mission. He pointed to the need to boost defense cooperation and investment, including expanding weapons development. He also disclosed plans to set up a joint defense and security council to meet regularly. Germany attaches utmost importance to its ties with its neighbor, France. The two superpowers in Europe have been viewed as playing a pivotal role in shaping the policies, among other matters, of the European Union. But no such alliance seemed apparent between Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, and Macron. Merz will visit Poland later on Wednesday to further pursue active diplomacy in what appears to be an attempt to show how Germany is reshaping itself following political stagnation in the country.
Asharq Al-Awsat
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Macron Announces Joint French-German Defense Council
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday the creation of a "French-German defense and security council" as Germany's new Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Paris. "We will set up a French-German defense and security council to meet regularly to bring operational responses to our common strategic challenges," Macron said at a joint press conference, as Europe seeks to boost its defenses amid Russia's war against Ukraine and doubts over US security commitments to Europe. Macron said that he doubted Vladimir Putin would respect a three-day truce in Ukraine and wondered if the Russian leader was "serious" about a durable peace. "Beyond the three days promised, which will undoubtedly not be respected, like the previous ones, is the Russian president finally serious?" Macron said at the news conference. "Will he finally decide to keep his word, especially the promises he made in his discussions with the US administration? That is what matters to us." Merz said for his part he was hopeful that a permanent ceasefire could be agreed soon for Ukraine but held back on making any commitments for Ukraine's security. "We will be there to accompany this 30-day cease fire and build a lasting and solid peace. And we (France and Germany) are in close contact," Macron added.
