Jakarta, Jan. 27 -- Indonesia's Defence Ministry announced that the air force has begun operating three Rafale fighter jets delivered from France, marking the first arrivals under a multibillion-dollar deal to strengthen the country's air defence capabilities.

Defence Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Rico Sirait said the three aircraft are stationed at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Pekanbaru, Riau, and have been formally handed over both administratively and technically.

"These three Rafale units have arrived in Indonesia and are now fully available for Indonesian Air Force operations," Rico said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The delivery represents the first batch of 42 Rafale fighter jets ordered by Indonesia from France's Dassault Aviat...