By Prashanth Parameswaran
Tokyo and Jakarta are looking to boost their defense ties.
On February 3, Indonesian media reported that Indonesia’s ambassador to Japan Yusron Ihza Mahendra had said that the two sides would sign a defense partnership soon.
According to Yusron, the two sides will ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering defense with a particular focus on the transfer of Japanese-manufactured equipment to Indonesia as well as “joint research and production” between the two countries’ defense industries. Though he did not confirm when the agreement would be signed, he said he expected it to be concluded when Indonesian president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visits Japan around March.
While details are still unclear, the defense partnership would be in line with the needs of both sides. As I have pointed out previously, Indonesia is looking to build up its defense industry as it upgrades its military capabilities. Partnerships with other countries is one way that state-owned firms involved in the industry can get access to skills, knowledge and practices. It is no coincidence, for instance, that the example of defense collaboration Yusron reportedly mentioned was “joint cooperation in research, production and capital” involving Indonesian aerospace firm PT Dirgantara Indonesia.
Read the full story at The Diplomat