President Prabowo Discusses Economic and Defense Cooperation with Macron at G20 Summit
Rio de Janeiro, The Gulf Observer: President Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to strengthen economic and defense cooperation between the two nations. The meeting took place on Tuesday, November 19, at Rio’s Museum of Modern Arts, according to a post on President Prabowo’s personal Instagram account observed on Wednesday.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who accompanied President Prabowo, shared details of the discussion in a video statement. “President Macron expressed his support for continuing the France-Indonesia Business Forum,” Hartarto stated. The forum, initially organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Paris on September 26, 2024, brought together public and private sectors from both countries to explore mutual opportunities.
In addition to economic cooperation, the two leaders delved into defense partnerships. While Hartarto did not provide specifics, he highlighted President Macron’s praise for Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities through collaboration with France. Key initiatives include the acquisition of 42 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, with the first delivery slated for early 2026, and the joint development of submarines.
Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL and French Naval Group have formed a joint venture to construct the Scorpene Evolved submarine, equipped with advanced propulsion and weaponry systems. This partnership underscores knowledge transfer from France, bolstering Indonesia’s maritime industry and defense self-sufficiency.
The meeting reflects Indonesia’s proactive engagement in strengthening strategic ties with France, emphasizing shared goals in economic development and defense innovation.
