Meeting the Business Community in Paris, Prabowo Subianto Discusses Potential Future Collaboration

Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto met with CEOs of numerous major French enterprises on behalf of the French business community on Thursday, July 25, local time.

The meeting’s goal, according to Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha, Head of the Ministry’s Public Relations Bureau, is to look for ways to strengthen and broaden bilateral cooperation.

“We found many opportunities and potentials to establish closer cooperation in various economic sectors. Through intensive dialogue and collaboration, we can establish significant mutual benefits for both countries,” Subianto said during his speech at the meeting, as quoted from the press statement from his office.

In addition to Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya N. Bakrie, and Indonesian Ambassador to France Mohamad Oemar attended the meeting, which was organized as an Indonesian-France Business Executive Luncheon.

Among the others in attendance were Whisnu Wardhana, an Indonesian businessman, Budisatrio Djiwandono, Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sugiono, and Rosan P. Roeslani.

Sumantha stated that it was anticipated that the conference would enhance economic relations and have a good impact on the growth of both countries.

“Both parties agreed to continue the dialogue and cooperation to realize a more advanced and prosperous shared vision,” he said.

Minister Thohir stated on social media that Minister Prabowo, as the chosen presidential candidate, expressed his desire to boost commercial ties between France and Indonesia.

Prabowo also met with French President Emmanuel Macron on July 24 at the Elysee Palace.

France and Indonesia have had diplomatic relations since September 1950. Indonesia has acquired defense hardware from France, including fighter jets, submarines, and radar, under the direction of Minister of Defense Prabowo.

Following a phased activation of the purchase contract in September 2022 and August 2023, Indonesia officially acquired 42 Rafale fighter planes from Dassault Aviation in early 2024.

In 2026, Indonesia is expected to get the first Rafale unit that it ordered.

Additionally, Indonesia bought 13 ground control interception (GCI) radars from Thales, a company that works with PT Len Indonesia. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense declared that it will acquire two Scorpene Evolved submarines from the French Naval Group in April of 2024.