France Ready to Give Indonesia Technology Transfer on Rafale Deal

France asserted on Wednesday that it was willing to provide an industrial cooperation with Indonesia should the Dassault Rafale jet fighter be selected to modernize the Indonesian Air Force.
French Ambassador to Indonesia said that France was open to all cooperation possibilities involving French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation and state-owned aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI).
Two Rafale jet fighters, a Rafale B double-seater and a Rafale C single-seater, arrived in Indonesia on Monday from the just-concluded 2015 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in Malaysia.
On Tuesday, the jet fighters performed three flights for Indonesian Air Force pilots who flew on the Rafale B, taking the back seat.
The Rafale is a latecomer in the competition to replace the F-5 E/F operated by the Indonesian Air Force.
The French jet fighter is facing tough competition with contenders including Su-35, F-16 Block 60, JAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Indonesian Air Force has repeatedly said it prefers the Su-35, although the final decision will be made by the Defense Ministry.
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