JAKARTA: The Indonesian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that the government has acquired 12 drones worth $300 million from Turkish Aerospace, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.
The contract was signed with Turkish Aerospace, headquartered in Ankara, and the delivery of the 12 units of ANKA drones is expected to be completed before November 2025.
The purchase of these drones is part of Indonesia’s broader efforts to enhance the variety, quantity, and quality of its military defense equipment. The acquisition comes on the heels of another major deal in January, where Indonesia secured a purchase worth $805 million for a dozen advanced Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets previously used by the Qatari air force.
Indonesia Aims to Strengthen Defense
Manufactured by French company Dassault Aviation, the deal faced criticism due to concerns over the age of the equipment. However, the Indonesian Defense Ministry defended the decision, citing the urgent need to address the decline in combat readiness faced by the country’s air force, as many of its existing aircraft have aged out. To compensate for the lengthy wait for the delivery of newly ordered aircraft, some of the existing fleet is undergoing upgrades, overhauls, or repairs.
In a further effort to strengthen its air force capabilities, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto approved the purchase of 42 units of Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft in February 2022. Indonesia is set to receive the first three of the six twin-engine Rafale fighters in January 2026.
The recent series of defense equipment acquisitions demonstrate Indonesia’s commitment to modernizing its armed forces and bolstering national security. By diversifying its military assets with state-of-the-art technology and equipment, Indonesia aims to enhance its preparedness to face potential challenges and maintain a robust defense system.
