15-7-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto held a meeting with Turkish Defense Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday to discuss defense cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting between Subianto and Fidan focused on bilateral relations and defense cooperation between Indonesia and Turkey.
Minister Subianto emphasized the importance of Turkey as a friendly country to Indonesia, highlighting their longstanding cooperation in the defense sector.
“I believe there are still many opportunities for both countries to strengthen defense cooperation in the future,” Subianto added.
The minister emphasized the need to enhance bilateral cooperation to foster mutual trust, improve the capabilities of their armed forces, and develop the defense industry in both nations.
Indonesia and Turkey have a robust defense cooperation framework, including a defense industry agreement signed in 2010. In 2020, the Indonesia-Turkey Defense Dialogue Meeting was established.
“Both countries also engage in joint research and development in the defense field,” Subianto stated.
Notable examples of research and development collaboration include the development of defense radio software by Turkey’s Aselsan in partnership with Indonesia’s PT Wellracom Megahjaya and PT LEN.
Additionally, Turkey’s FNSS and Indonesia’s PT Pindad are collaborating on research and development in infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).
In February, Minister Subianto and former Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar signed a defense cooperation action plan in Bakanliklar, Ankara, marking a significant milestone in the strategic cooperation between the two nations.
During the G20 Summit in Bali last year, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held bilateral talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The discussions focused on the progress of bilateral relations and the signing of several strategic agreements, including government-to-government (G2G) cooperation in defense.
