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Beyond 2024: Strategic defense programs essential for Indonesia
Strategic projects are definitely needed for Indonesia to achieve the country’s objectives to revitalize its domestic defense industry while also strengthening the Indonesian Military's posture.
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Close encounter: Students with disabilities take a close look at the Indonesian Air Force’s F-16 fighter jets on Dec. 17, 2023 at Iswahjudi air base in Madiun, East Java. (Antara/Siswowidodo)
Defense issues will be discussed in an upcoming debate of the upcoming 2024 presidential election. While the procurement policy led by Defense Minister and Onward Indonesia Coalition leader Prabowo Subianto will be discussed, observers should pay attention to the consideration paid by candidates to what have been dubbed strategic defense projects.
Established through the first phase of the Minimum Essential Forces (MEF) Plan, there are nowadays a total of 10 strategic projects, which include military satellites, fighters, submarines, radar, medium tanks, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and guided missiles.
Strategic defense projects and their definition are particularly important for several reasons.
First, they should be considered as strategic military assets before anything else. In other words, these assets should provide a strategic advantage on the battlefield and provide the end-users with an adequate and specific capacity to deter, deny and defeat potential adversaries.
In this perspective, a 4.5 generation aircraft such as the KF-21, which is jointly developed by South Korea Aerospace Industry (KAI) and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), should provide Indonesia with a clear capacity to handle air threats. Likewise, proposed Naval Group Scorpene Evolved submarines will permit Indonesia to ensure long-range deterrence to secure its sovereign domain and interests.
The second reason is related to the benefits for a country to develop these strategic projects as they tend to support the establishment of what has been dubbed strategic autonomy.
As a matter of fact, most of these projects are planned to be implemented with the participation of the national defense industry. Indeed, the existing regulations, such as Law No. 16/2012 on the defense industry, support the idea that such projects will benefit domestic actors. Such a commitment has been encouraged by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who has pointed out on several occasions that Indonesia should shift its mindset from defense spending to defense investment.
