Indonesian President Prabowo Opens Indo Defence Expo

OPENING the Indo Defence Expo & Forum today at Jakarta’s JIExpo was Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto accompanied by Indonesian and international top brass. Held from today until June 14, the exhibition also encompasses Indo Marine and Indo Aerospace, featuring 1,180 companies from 55 nations, including the likes of France, Turkiye, China, Russia, the US, Germany, and more.

In his opening speech, President Prabowo stated that defence is the guarantor of a nation’s independence and prosperity, stressing that nations must invest in reinforcing its defences to maintain its sovereignty. Saying, “Our history has taught us that for hundreds of years, our country was occupied by other nations, and our people, our society, our culture, and our politics were destroyed. As we became the property of other nations, our wealth was taken. He added, “Human history teaches that a nation unwilling to invest in its defence usually loses its sovereignty and independence and may become subjugated.”

Hence, he reiterated Indonesia’s ironclad commitment to continue building up its already impressive defence industry, noting that Indonesia does not seek to join any military alliance as the Indonesian people have no military ambitions abroad. “Our defence budget posture is aimed at forming a strong regional defence. We know we are not as strong as the world’s superpowers, and therefore, my government’s policy is non-aligned—we are neutral.  Therefore, I announce my current policy of being a good neighbor. We want to be good neighbors to all countries, whether they are close, moderate, or far away.”

As the first day of the show went on, around 27 memoranda of understanding (MOU) valued at US$1.9 billion were signed between state-owned defence firms, the private industry and global defence giants. Those companies include PT Pindad, PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), PT PAL, PT Len, PT Dahana, PT Republik Defens Indonesia, PT Praba Cipta Mandiri, PT Nusantara Turbine Propulsi, and PT Agrapana Nugraha Katara, PT Tesco Indomaritim, PT Indonesia Defence Systems, PT Aggiomultimex International Group, PT Sapta Cakra Manunggal, PT Mitra Harapan Abadi, PT Mulia Buana Dharma Trans, PT Noahtu Shipyard.

A deal signed in Prabowo’s presence included an agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and the Turkish Defense Industry Agency (SSB) on the purchase of the fifth-generation fighter jet KAAN made by Turkish Aerospace Industries.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:KSN)