On the one hand, the proposed figure seems to provide plenty of procurement options. On the other hand, the plan triggered a debate as the government has not yet sketched out the utilization of such a gigantic procurement budget. Others have voiced their concern over the additional financial debt that the government must bear for years to come.

Despite the debate and the realization of the arms-purchasing plan, procurement strategy should not be fixated only on the domestic realm. The international setting is another factor that in reality heavily influences defense policy, including defense acquisition.

The renewed United States-China global competition must surely affect Indonesia’s procurement plans. The US Senate recently passed the Endless Frontier Act, which allocated more than $110 billion to develop new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and biotechnology. Quelling China’s rising competitiveness in the technology race was the key narrative that justified the passing of the act.

Back in March, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Washington might approach China in a competitive, collaborative or even adversarial manner depending on the situation.

The question then is what the possible impact of this renewed Washington-Beijing rivalry will be on Indonesia’s defense procurement.

We can at least ponder two possible implications that may appear following the renewed strategic competition between the US and China. The first is limited defense procurement sources.

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