Indonesia‘s recent arms procurement spree underscores its pursuit of middle-power autonomy. By diversifying suppliers, it has sought to reduce reliance on the United States and china as the Trump management disengages from Southeast Asia and Beijing asserts itself in the South China Sea.
On 26 July, Indonesia signed a contract to procure 48 Kaan fighter jets from Turkish Aerospace Industries. This deal was followed closely by the acquisition of two Istanbul-class frigates, also from Turkey. This further expands Indonesia’s procurement from Turkey, including the Khan/Bora tactical ballistic missile and the Hisar-O and Siper air defense systems.In just five years, Jakarta has signed contracts for two new fighter jet types, one new class of submarines, three new classes of frigates, a tactical ballistic missile system and two air defence systems. These have been sourced from at least four countries: Britain, France, Italy and Turkey.
This effort can be seen as Indonesia’s purposeful strategy to maintain autonomy. President Prabowo Subianto has made defence modernisation his priority program. Yet, mounting pressure from geopolitical competition has made relying on great powers as main arms suppliers unfeasible. In response, Indonesia’s procurement agenda emphasises diversifying suppliers and technological transfer to support Indonesia’s national defence industries and reduce dependence on arms imports.The US has long been one of Indonesia’s prominent defence partners, wiht military sales totalling more than US$1.1 billion between 2014 and 2024. Yet Jakarta has become wary of overdependence on Washington. More recently, the unpredictable foreign policy of the Trump administration has underlined the risks of relying too heavily on the US. President Donald Trump’s imposition of 19 percent tariffs on Southeast Asian states-including Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam-indicated an attempt to distance itself from the region. If such political volatility were extended, Indonesia’s military readiness could be severely hampered.
Meanwhile, China continues to pressure Southeast Asian states through expansive maritime deployment. Currently, Indonesia faces heightened tensions in the North Natuna Sea, with Chinese coast guard vessels repeatedly encroaching on its exclusive economic zone.
Indonesia’s Defence Diversification Strategy: Balancing Ambition with Practicality
Indonesia is actively pursuing a strategy of diversifying its defence procurement, moving away from reliance on a single supplier and towards partnerships with countries like Turkey, France, and Britain.This approach is driven by a desire for strategic autonomy, a strengthening domestic defence industry, and the need to address critical capability gaps. However,this aspiring modernization effort also presents logistical and budgetary challenges that require careful management.
Ancient Context & Strategic drivers
Indonesia’s historical experience with arms embargoes – imposed at various times by both the Soviet Union and Western nations – has underscored the importance of diversifying its defence sources. This past has reinforced a commitment to avoiding over-dependence on any single partner, a sentiment echoed by indonesian policymakers today.
Beyond historical concerns,diversification aligns with Jakarta’s ambition to foster a robust domestic defence industry. Unlike the United States, which often restricts technology transfer, countries like Turkey, France, and Britain have demonstrated a greater willingness to offer industrial partnerships and technology sharing with non-allied states.
Expanding Partnerships & Technology transfer
Turkey has pledged to share drone and fighter jet technologies with Indonesian firms, as evidenced by the procurement of 60 Bayraktar TB3 drones. Britain and France are collaborating with PT PAL, Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder, to enhance expertise in submarine and frigate construction. These collaborations are crucial for Indonesia’s long-term goal of defence self-reliance.Regional Implications & Cooperation
A modernized Indonesian military, especially its navy, could substantially contribute to regional security. Enhanced naval capabilities could facilitate joint maritime patrols with Malaysia,the Philippines,and Vietnam in the contested waters of the South China sea.Furthermore, the recently upgraded defence partnership with Australia – now formalized through a treaty-level agreement – could benefit from increased joint patrols in strategically important areas like the Arafura Sea. This cooperation would enhance maritime domain awareness and security in the region.
Challenges & Mitigation Strategies
Despite the benefits, Indonesia’s diversification strategy is not without risks. Procuring equipment from multiple sources can create logistical complexities and maintenance bottlenecks due to differing spare parts requirements and maintenance procedures. This will inevitably increase defence spending, placing strain on Indonesia’s budget.
Indonesia plans to increase its defence budget from 166 trillion rupiah (approximately US$10.22 billion) in 2025 to 185 trillion rupiah (approximately US$11.33 billion) in 2026. Though,effective allocation of these funds is critical.Defence policymakers should prioritize maintaining naval and air power as strategic priorities, alongside investments in interoperability and communications integration to maximize the effectiveness of its growing arsenal.
conclusion
By diversifying its defence procurements, indonesia aims to address urgent capability gaps, secure greater autonomy in its foreign policy, and strengthen its domestic defence sector through technology transfer. While logistical and budgetary challenges exist, these can be mitigated through careful prioritization, a focus on naval and aerial power, and a commitment to joint-warfare capabilities. Successfully navigating these challenges will be key to realizing Indonesia’s ambition of becoming a more secure and self-reliant nation.
Sources:
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Faces Pressure to Ease Rules for sharing Military Technology with Allies
Breaking Defense: Indonesia Procures 60 Bayraktar TB3 Drones
The Jakarta Post: Indonesia is out of step with global arms race
* Currency conversion rates as of September 9, 2025 (used for clarity and consistency).
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