Rafale fighter jets, A400M make debut flypast over Merdeka Palace

Rafale fighter jets and Airbus A400M transport aircraft made their debut in a flypast over Merdeka Palace in Jakarta during a ceremony commemorating Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day on Monday. The event showcased the Indonesian Air Force’s latest acquisitions, including four Dassault Rafale fighters and two A400M Atlas aircraft, which were procured during President Prabowo Subianto’s time as Minister of Defense. The flypast included a High-G Turn maneuver, where the gravitational force increased from 1G to over 9G, highlighting the advanced capabilities of the Rafale pilots. The ceremony took place at Merdeka Palace, where President Prabowo Subianto, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and former President Joko Widodo observed the aerial display from the podium. The Rafale jets executed a low-level flyby followed by a sharp dive and a high-speed climb, demonstrating precision and control. The aircraft then escorted two A400M transport planes, showcasing the integration of new technology within the Indonesian military. The aerial demonstration began earlier with a formation of eight joint TNI-Polri helicopters flying low, carrying a massive Red-White Indonesian flag and forming a Giant Flag Formation. This was followed by a display involving several types of helicopters, including the EC-725 Caracal, NAS-332 Super Puma, Eurocopter AS365 N3+ Dauphin, AH-46 Apache, AS565 MBe Panther, and Agusta Westland AW169. These helicopters unfurled a giant Indonesian flag alongside the 81st Independence Day logo, emphasizing national pride and unity. A notable moment came when a Rafale pilot delivered a live Independence Day greeting from the cockpit, congratulating Indonesians on the occasion and expressing hopes for a sovereign, just, and prosperous nation. Shortly after, Indonesian Air Force fighter jets formed the number “81” and flew over Merdeka Palace under the callsign “Garuda Flight,” symbolizing the year of the commemoration. The flypast continued with displays of the Air Force’s newest defense equipment, including Rafale fighter jets and A400M transport aircraft, each performing under specific callsigns such as “Macan Flight,” “Atlas Flight,” and “Panther Flight.” These maneuvers highlighted the technological advancements and strategic importance of these new assets in Indonesia’s defense capabilities. The aerial showcase continued with a performance by the Indonesian Air Force’s aerobatic team, “The Jupiters.” Eight KT-1B Wongbee aircraft, painted in distinctive red-and-white colors, opened the show with a “Screw Roll” maneuver, with one aircraft circling seven others flying low over Merdeka Palace. The team then split into two groups, with six aircraft forming the “Wings of the Garuda” formation, flying over the palace and climbing to a height resembling the flapping wings of the mythical bird. The aerobatic pilots released smoke trails in red and white, representing the colors of the Indonesian flag. In another maneuver, two Jupiter aircraft performed the “Snake Loop,” weaving through the sky with red and white smoke trails above the National Monument (Monas) before flying low over Merdeka Palace at low speed. The Jupiters concluded their performance with the “Clover Leaf Cascade,” combining a cloverleaf pattern with a waterfall-like gliding motion, impressing spectators with their skill and coordination. Finally, Indonesian Air Force T-50i Golden Eagle fighter jets, flying under the callsign “Golden Flight,” executed a bomb burst maneuver. The jets flew high in a tight formation before suddenly separating, diving, and scattering in different directions. Afterward, they flew low, one by one, completing the aerial demonstration with a powerful and synchronized display.