Indonesia-France ties: Prabowo to hold talks with Macron on defence, energy cooperation

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]In other news, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on his third visit to France this year seeking to elevate strategic ties and boost defense relations. He's set to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron focused on energy, tech, and agriculture as well as the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

[00:00:20]Indonesia recently expanded its arsenal with six French-made Rafale fighter jets. This after he held talks on military procurement with President Macron in April.

[00:00:33]And for more, Ross Cullen is covering the Indonesian President's visit for CNA live from Paris. Now Ross, this trip is coming just over a week after Indonesia received a several French fighter jets.

[00:00:45]How are both countries now looking to boost defense ties even further?

[00:00:54]>> Well Angela, this is the Elysee Palace behind me, the French presidential office and residence, and the French police will be closing this road momentarily to ensure that the Indonesian President's arrival that way can take place smoothly. Prabowo Subianto is coming here to speak about a range of topics including the possible exit to the crisis in the Middle East, the possible end to the war, but also defense more generally.

[00:01:22]Indonesia certainly looking to widen its defense partnerships. There's been some discussion of a possible defense deal or defense agreement with the United States, but France is a very important partner already for Jakarta when it comes to defense selling Indonesia submarines, selling Indonesia fighter jets, and key business partners would be also French defense companies like Dassault and Thales.

[00:01:50]>> Now Ross, it's Mr. Prabowo's third trip to Paris just this year. So why why the diplomatic blitz?

[00:02:01]>> Well, there's been an expanding of influence really Indonesia trying to really cement its place as the biggest nation in Southeast Asia. It has now joined the BRICS block with Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa those key members, but also that new wave of membership taking in the UAE, Iran, other nations as well. So it's joined the BRICS group of nations as a key partner for the United States, key partner for France especially when it comes to the Indo-Pacific.

[00:02:35]That is a key region for France with Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean territory. So wants to work very closely comparison Jakarta when it comes to Indo-Pacific and also they want to work together on the key issues. They have a sovereignty partnership which is taking in kind of maritime and security affairs. They have a cultural partnership that takes in people-to-people exchanges and they also have a global partnership where it looks at biodiversity and climate change.

[00:03:04]France certainly sees Indonesia as a key player when it comes to fighting the climate crisis. Angela.

[00:03:10]>> Thank you so much for that report. That was a Ross Cullen for CNA live in Paris.