Jakarta, June 26 -- Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin discussed strengthening bilateral defense cooperation during a courtesy call by French Ambassador Fabien Penone at his office in Jakarta on Friday.

"This meeting serves as momentum to strengthen defense cooperation between Indonesia and France," Sjafrie wrote in an Instagram post.

He said Indonesia and France have maintained close defense ties for years, including through Indonesia's procurement of Rafale fighter jets produced by France's Dassault Aviation.

During the meeting, Sjafrie expressed Indonesia's desire to further strengthen cooperation in the modernization of defense equipment, defense industry development, and personnel exchanges for military education.

He...