Indonesia on February 10 ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from France and may acquire two French submarines, as Jakarta and Paris seek to strengthen military ties in the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific.

The Rafale agreement was announced as Indonesian defence minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta.

Subianto confirmed a deal had been struck for the purchase of the jets, with a contract signed on February 10 relating to the first six.

France’s defence ministry said the contract for the 42 aircraft and their weapons was worth $8.1 billion.

Spokesman Herve Grandjean said the two countries also signed a letter of intent for research and development with a view to Indonesia ordering two Scorpene submarines.