President Prabowo Opens Indo Defence, Witnesses Rp33 Trillion in Defence Agreements

President Prabowo Subianto officially opened the Indo Defence 2025 Expo & Forum at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) Kemayoran on Wednesday, 11 June 2025. The event, held under the theme “Defence Partnerships for Global Peace & Stability”, marks Indonesia’s continued effort to strengthen defence diplomacy and industrial cooperation amid evolving regional and global security dynamics.

The four-day exhibition, scheduled from 11 to 14 June, is one of Southeast Asia’s largest defence forums. It is being attended by 1,180 companies from 55 countries, comprising 659 foreign firms and 521 domestic producers. National pavilions have been set up by several countries, including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and France, underlining the event’s international significance.

President Prabowo arrived at the venue shortly before 10 a.m., travelling in a white Maung presidential vehicle. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan, and other high-ranking officials, including the 6th Vice President of Indonesia, Try Sutrisno, and the Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto. The President was greeted by an honour guard composed of 1,500 students, cadets, and military bands, reflecting the ceremonial scale of the event.

In his opening remarks, President Prabowo emphasised the importance of strengthening Indonesia’s domestic defence industry while engaging in international collaboration. He described Indo Defence as a venue not only for product exhibitions but also for exchanging ideas, knowledge, and emerging defence technologies. “This Expo is intended to provide an opportunity for the domestic defence industry, the defence industry of friendly countries, the academic world in Indonesia, all elements of political and community leadership, and of course the young generation of the Republic of Indonesia, to follow the development of technology and science, especially in the field of defence,” he stated.

A ceremonial hand-scan on a digital screen symbolised the formal opening of the event and was met with applause from attending delegates, military personnel, industry representatives, and international guests.

One of the headline developments on the opening day was the signing of 27 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and joint contracts, valued at a combined Rp33 trillion. These agreements involve a range of entities from Indonesia’s state-owned and private defence sectors as well as international partners. The contracts were signed between the Ministry of Defence and participating companies, signifying continued government support for a robust and modernised national defence system.

Notable participants in the signing included PT Pindad, PT PAL Indonesia, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Len, and other members of the Defend ID consortium. Several private Indonesian defence firms also signed agreements, including PT Praba Cipta Mandiri, PT Sapta Cakra Manunggal, PT Tesco Indomaritim, and PT Indonesia Defence Systems, among others. President Prabowo personally witnessed the signings and took time to greet the company leaders involved.

One of the most significant developments was the conclusion of a procurement agreement between Indonesia and Türkiye for 48 units of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) KAAN fighter jet. The deal, signed with Türkiye’s Defence Industry Secretariat (SSB), marks the first export order for the domestically developed Turkish fifth-generation aircraft. All 48 aircraft are scheduled for delivery within 120 months, by 2035, positioning Indonesia as the first export customer of the KAAN jet.

Developed by TUSAS, the KAAN is a stealth-capable, fifth-generation fighter intended to serve as a long-term replacement for older platforms within the Turkish Air Force and now, potentially, Indonesia’s future fleet. The deal is expected to include elements of technology transfer and industrial cooperation, supporting Indonesia’s ambitions to advance its domestic aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities.

Alongside the diplomatic and contractual achievements, the Indo Defence Expo continues to serve as a key platform for showcasing Indonesian technological innovation in defence manufacturing. PT Pindad is displaying its latest SS3 assault rifle, intended as a successor to the SS1 and SS2. PT PAL Indonesia is exhibiting miniatures and mock-ups of several naval platforms, including an autonomous submarine (KSOT), a diorama of the Nagapasa-class submarine, and a model of the French-designed Scorpene submarine. Also on display are scale models of a 140-metre frigate, a 124-metre hospital ship, and a landing platform dock (LPD).

In the field of unmanned systems, PT Industri Teknologi Ekapaksi (ITE) is presenting several drone models, including kamikaze drones, reconnaissance UAVs, and a handheld anti-drone system with an effective range of 1.2 kilometres. These products reflect growing domestic capabilities in electronic warfare and autonomous systems—areas of increasing relevance in modern military operations.

According to Brigadier General TNI Frega Ferdinand Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Ministry of Defence’s Information Bureau, the Indo Defence Expo is more than just a marketplace for arms and equipment. “This is proof of Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing national defence capabilities through collaboration and innovation,” he said. He added that the event allows for knowledge sharing and the formation of strategic international partnerships.

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, in his report to the President, stated that the forum aims to provide a platform for government-to-government and business-to-business engagements, thereby fostering not only sales but also long-term cooperative frameworks. “This year’s exhibition is attended by 1,180 participants with confirmed presence from 42 friendly nations,” he noted.

Following the opening ceremony and contract signings, President Prabowo and his delegation left the exhibition grounds to continue the day’s programme at the Indonesian Defence University campus in Sentul, Bogor Regency, West Java.

The 2025 Indo Defence Expo & Forum is widely viewed as a strategic milestone for Indonesia’s defence sector. It reflects the government’s broader goal of achieving greater self-reliance in defence production, expanding international partnerships, and modernising the country’s military capabilities in line with shifting geopolitical dynamics. In economic terms, the Rp33 trillion worth of agreements is also expected to contribute to defence-related exports and job creation within the national industrial base.

Through continued participation by state-owned enterprises, private manufacturers, and foreign partners, Indonesia aims to position itself as a serious and competitive player in the regional and global defence industries.