Indonesia-Turkey Defence Ties Set to Accelerate

Our Bureau - : Jun 12, 2025 - : 1:24 am

China's growing military prowess has caused considerable concern for its neighbours in in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. With Jakarta responding to the threat by diversifying its defence relationships and deepening its various bilateral defence ties, Turkiye is shaping up as a key partner.

The deepening relationship between the two countries in the defence sphere offers Turkiye a chance to expand its presence in Southeast Asia and offer an alternative to Western and Russian suppliers. The Strategic Defence Cooperation MoU signed between Turkiye and Indonesia in February this year, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Jakarta, is a virtual springboard for defence ties between the two countries and offers Turkish companies a chance to enhance their presence in the region.

With Turkish defence companies willing to engage in technology transfer and provide training, the capabilities of Indonesia’s indigenous defence industry are set to receive a significant boost. In 2023, the two countries signed a plan of action for joint military exercises. The benefits to the Indonesian domestic defence industry due to partnering with Turkiye are expected to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

In recent years, Turkiye has emerged as a dominant player in the military drone market, accounting for more than 60 per cent of military UAV sales since 2018. Not surprisingly, the biggest, and perhaps the most significant, deal between the two countries involve Baykar, which will provide Indonesia with 60 Bayraktar TB3 and nine Akinci Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). While the TB3 will be used for military strikes, Akinci is a multi-mission UCAV that can be used for maritime patrol missions in addition to armed ISR and strikes. Baykar is also involved in a joint venture with Republikorp to build a drone factory in Indonesia. The deal involves technology transfer to facilitate local production.

In April this year, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said that his country was interested in joining Turkiye’s KAAN fighter jet program; the next-generation combat aircraft is in development and is scheduled to enter service with the Turkish Air Force by the end of 2028. Indonesia is also keen on leveraging the capabilities of the Turkish defence industry for its submarine development efforts.

The Strategic Defence Cooperation MoU has indeed given defence ties a fillip, but the two countries have been gradually growing closer over the past decade. In 2016, Indonesia’s state-owned arms manufacturer Pindad joined hands with Turkish defence company FNSS to develop the Kaplan MT/Harimau medium tank that entered mass production in 2020. The two companies are also developing new armoured personnel carriers that are scheduled to be delivered by the end of next year. In October last year, TAIS Shipyard started construction of two fast attack craft for the Indonesian Navy.

At the 2025 Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Roketsan signalled its intension by announcing that it would form a joint venture with an Indonesian defence company to produce anti-ship cruise missiles and multi-platform missiles in Indonesia. Among Roketsan’s products are the Atmaca anti-ship missile and the Çakır cruise missile which was recently test-fired from Akinci UCAV. Indonesia is exporting both these missiles. Turkish defence major Aselsan, which is now ranked 42nd among the top defence firms in the world, is also intent on expanding its presence in the region and has signed an agreement to form a JV to produce communication systems. The company is also likely to provide combat systems and electronics for Indonesia's future unmanned surface vessel (USV).

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