This July 14 took place the traditional military parade on the avenue des Champs-Elysées between the Arc de Triomphe, and the Place de la Concorde. After having honored several countries of Eastern Europe in a context of war in 2022, then India in 2023, this year Indonesia will participate in the parade with 260 of its soldiers. Having become the second client, after India, of France in terms of armaments in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is a major partner for France, both economic and geopolitical.
An economic partner
Indonesia seeks to become a military power, and consequently, modernizes and develops its equipment. However, not yet being able to count on a sufficiently solid and experienced national defense industry, Nusantara has decided to call on France.
Indeed, after having sold in 2022 no less than 42 gusts for a value of no less than 8 billion euros, then 2 sub -sailors of Scorpene class in 2024, for 2 billion euros, Indonesia seems to embrace its French supplier and multiplies the commands of arms, but also of radar detection systems, making the joy of French industrialists. It is estimated that the value of contracts is 17 billion euros.
Strategic partners
At a time when the world is increasingly polarized between China and the United States, France, historically relatively more independent of the United States than the rest of the West, retains a solid and independent defense industry in all areas. It embodies this “third way” which allows non-aligned countries to provide armaments, without choosing a camp, or becoming dependent on its supplier. Since this is a great promise of French manufacturers: to allow the development of local skills, to transfer technologies, and therefore do not make buying countries dependent on the skills of their supplier.
For its part, France, following the termination of the “century contract” with Australia in September 2021 providing for the purchase by the latter of 12 submersibles, seeks to diversify its strategic partnerships in the region. This while China is gaining momentum and is no longer doubtful of its bellicist velleities in Indo-Pacific. France, which has many ultra-marine territories in the region, had however been dismissed by the United States when the latter had with Australia and the United Kingdom, formed the alliance aukus to counter China. Obliged to have a rider alone, this type of armament contract is, beyond the economic aspect, a highly strategic aspect of a subtle rapprochement but some between the two countries.
Illustrate a partnership
It is a form of respect and thanks, perhaps the most impactful than France. By allowing Indonesian soldiers to parade on July 14 on the Champs-Elysées, Paris gives Nusantara a legitimacy and an international scope. It is also the idea that France does not hear them high, but considers them and respects them as its equals. Vestige of colonialism, perhaps France is trying here to deconstruct this image, and to reincarnate this “third way”, a path of dialogue as equals between a developing country and a country of the West.
To honor these Indonesian soldiers and to pass them first is also to honor their culture, their military traditions, and give them a place at the very center of one of the strong places in the Western world.
