An interesting thing happened during a recent joint exercise between Indonesia and France Air Force 3 weeks ago, Rafale is said to be able to lock on Indonesian F-16 at a distance of 80 NM (nautical mile).
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Trying out the Rafale "Backseat", an Air Force Aviator Can Lock 6 Targets Simultaneously
An Air Force fighter aviator, Major Pnb Dedi "Kingbee" Andres, had the opportunity to try out the Rafale fighter jet from the French Air Force which was visiting Indonesia.
Dedi "Kingbee", who is an aviator from Air Squadron 1 of Supadio Air Base, tried flying the Rafale from the backseat.
During the three-hour flight, Dedi and the French Air Force pilot carried out an Air to Air Refueling (AAR) mission using an A-330 MRTT tanker aircraft.
This AAR mission also involved three Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft from Air Squadron 3 and Air Squadron 14 of Iswahjudi Air Base in the Iswahjudi Air Base training area, East Java, on Tuesday (25/7/2023).
"During the three-hour flight, a lot of Rafale sophistication was seen and felt directly by "Kingbee", starting from the ideal aircraft cockpit design, powerful aircraft engines, and sophisticated aircraft avionics systems," said Head of the Air Force Information Service (Kadispenau) Marsma R Agung Sasongkojati in a written statement, Thursday (27/7/2023).
Agung said, "Kingbee" also shared his experience when Rafale was able to lock three F-16 aircraft from a distance of 80 NM or 140 kilometers that were taking off from Iswahjudi Air Base.
Within 40 NM or 70 kilometers, the camera on the left nose of the aircraft was able to visually display the three locked aircraft on the screen display in the cockpit.
"Dedi also recognized the Rafale aircraft's radar system capability that can track 40 targets and lock onto six targets simultaneously. Likewise, the electronic warfare and data link capabilities are very significant," Agung said.
Rafale is also capable of performing Air Combat Maneuvers well, including for Beyond Visual Range, Air to Air and Air to Ground.
Currently, the French Air Force is exhibiting Rafale fighter jets at the South Terminal of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, East Jakarta, in the Pegase 2023 mission.
It is known that the Rafale fighter jet from the manufacturer Dassault Aviation was ordered by Indonesia to strengthen the Indonesian Air Force.
In the Pegase 2023 mission, the French Air Force actually brought a total of six Rafale fighters, four Airbus A400M transport aircraft, and three A-330 MRTT tankers.
However, based on Kompas.com's observation on Wednesday, there were only two Rafale units and one A-330 MRTT. Other aircraft will arrive at Halim Airport gradually.
Pegase 2023 mission leader Lieutenant Colonel Henri said the Rafale on display had been used by the French Air Force since 2006.
"So in this operation, we want to deepen partnerships, cooperation in the Pacific region and Indonesia, of course to deepen partnerships with the TNI," Henri said.
The Pegase 2023 mission is also a continuation of the Jeanne d'Arc 23 mission stopover and Guard Guerrier exercises, as well as the empowerment of the French defense aeronautics industry.
It is planned that the French Air Force will carry out a number of joint activities with the Indonesian Air Force until Sunday (30/7/2023).
In addition to Indonesia, the French Air Force also visited Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Qatar, and Djibouti.