Indonesia and Turkey are preparing to collaborate on the production of defense equipment, with both countries aiming to transfer technology and strengthen their strategic partnership. On Friday, 30 October 2026, Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia Talip Kucukcan announced that a Memorandum of Understanding—referred to as the “Memorandum Badr”—had been signed to enable joint production of military hardware in Indonesia. “The main goal for the medium and long term is to transfer technology to Indonesia so that we can produce defense equipment together,” Kucukcan said in a brief interview before the 103rd Turkish National Day celebrations in Jakarta. When asked about financing, Kucukcan noted that both Indonesia and Turkey have strong financial foundations, are members of the G20, and possess large economies. “There is also significant interest from Gulf and Middle‑Eastern countries, so funding is not an issue. The key is the strategic partnership we have built,” he added. Kucukcan further explained that Turkish defense companies have achieved 80 % self‑sufficiency in their industry and are willing to share that experience with Indonesia. He said that agreements at both the leadership and corporate levels have already been established between the two nations. The Memorandum Badr was signed on 21 October 2026 in Doha, Qatar, by Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan. The agreement seeks to strengthen defense cooperation and strategic partnerships, combine each country’s military production capabilities, and enhance economic opportunities for the four parties. It is expected to deepen military collaboration, strengthen multilateral ties, and support shared security and stability objectives. On 22 October 2026, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Indonesia would leverage the Memorandum Badr to boost its national defense production capabilities. “We want to enhance our national capacity and partner with countries that have the qualifications and compatibility to support Indonesia’s production capabilities,” said spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela during a press briefing in Jakarta. Indonesia views the partnership as a strategic effort in defense based on mutual trust, equality, reciprocity, and shared interests. According to Mulachela, the Memorandum Badr aligns with Indonesia’s broader strategy of diversifying international defense partners.
Article source: Koran Jakarta | Image credit: Koran Jakarta