Podcasts

Our Research Coordinator and Manager, Anastasia Febiola S., discussed Indonesia’s strategic approach in navigating the shifting global alliance while maintaining national sovereignty. Notably, France has emerged as a reliable partner in various sectors, including in Indonesia’s defence modernisation efforts.

Major General Oktaheroe Ramsi highlighted France’s continued commitment to Indonesia’s defence sector, from high-tech offsets to military education exchanges. He emphasised the importance of sustaining this momentum, particularly in infrastructure development for the Rafale fighter jets programme. The recent visit of France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the Lombok Strait also underscored the growing cooperation between both nations.

Adam Mulawarman Tugio highlighted Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy should not be mistaken as neutrality and emphasised the country’s role in global peacekeeping. He also discussed the strategic importance of long-term defence investments, as emphasised by former President Joko Widodo, to strengthen Indonesia’s self-sufficiency in the defence industry.

Curie Maharani Savitri shared some insights on the ideal strategic partner for Indonesia. For the past years, France stands out as a reliable partner given its strong commitment to offsets, self-reliance in defence technology, and operational readiness.

Iqbal Bagus Alfiansyah emphasised the importance of acquiring ITAR-free systems for greater operational independence. He also discussed how procuring surface warships from France—alongside the existing Scorpène Evolved submarines and Rafale fighter jets—would enhance fleet interoperability and strengthen Indonesia’s naval capabilities.

Our Research Coordinator and Manager, Anastasia Febiola S., discussed the long standing Indonesia-France diplomatic relations which recently marked their 75th anniversary with a series of events, such as the 2025 La Perouse joint exercise.

First Admiral (Ret.) Agus Rustandi emphasised that one of the key goals of Indonesia-France defence cooperation is to enhance interoperability. With Indonesia acquiring Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines, M. Rustandi suggests procuring French surface ships and land systems to enhance interoperability across all branches of the Indonesian military.

Khairul Fahmi highlights that Indonesia-France defence cooperation extends beyond procurement to long-term defence modernisation, including the mastery of new technology. Moreover, France’s participation in the La Pérouse 25 exercise demonstrates the country’s commitment to interoperability in the Indo-Pacific.

Ade P. Marboen discussed France’s strong, independent defence industry and its battle-proven assets, making it a reliable defence partner for Indonesia.

Alman Helvas Ali mentioned that defence cooperation with France could provide Indonesia with opportunities to expand its presence in the global supply chain and enhance Indonesian shipbuilding capacity.

Our Research Coordinator and Manager, Anastasia Febiola S., discussed the need for the Indonesian government to accelerate the implementation of defence procurement contracts to support economic growth.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jan Pieter Ate emphasised that it is crucial for the government to learn from past procurement processes to ensure adequate funding for defence modernisation efforts. He also highlighted the importance of involving local suppliers to boost the economy and foster a stronger domestic defence industry.

Col. Steven Toar Sambouw elaborated on the impact of delays in defence modernisation projects and outlined how the Ministry of Defence plans to enhance the defence industry by viewing modernisation efforts not only about purchasing new assets, but also as an investment that can contribute to economic growth.

Novan Iman Santosa highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Industry to address challenges within the domestic defence industry and strengthen our defence industrial base.

Alman Helvas Ali suggested that prioritising urgent defence contracts and fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance can help expedite loan agreements for defence modernisation.

In our most recent webinar, our Research Coordinator and Manager, Anastasia Febiola S., discussed the increasing role of drones, UAVs, and cyberattacks in modern warfare, stressing the importance of adapting to technological advances for survival in the defence sector.

In our latest webinar, BG Mohamad Nafis emphasised the importance of developing Indonesia’s surface fleet to strengthen the maritime axis, highlighting the Navy’s role in addressing threats like USVs and cyberattacks with advanced systems and secure communication.

In our most recent webinar, FADM Arif Badrudin highlighted the need for different types of ships in Indonesia’s waters, focusing on vessel size for various missions and the importance of stealth, network capabilities, and cybersecurity in modern surface combatants.

In our latest webinar, Agoes Santoso noted that while Indonesia’s domestic ship production has sufficient quantity, quality improvements are needed to meet Ministry of Defence standards and ensure self-reliance for the surface fleet and the “Indonesia Emas” vision.

In our most recent webinar, Alman Helvas Ali shared the need for Indonesian frigates to enhance air defence, counter asymmetric threats like UAV swarms, adopt network-centric warfare, and strengthen cybersecurity measures.

In our most recent webinar, our Research Coordinator and Manager, Anastasia Febiola S., highlighted how Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy under President Prabowo Subianto faces growing challenges, requiring a balance between pragmatism, human rights, international law, and national interests.

In our most recent webinar, Indra Rosandry shared insights on Indonesia’s efforts to join the OECD, President Prabowo Subianto’s successful overseas visits, and the importance of peaceful dialogue to ease tensions in Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula.

In our latest webinar, Rizal Darma Putra discussed key Indo-Pacific flashpoints and the potential impact of US foreign policy under President-elect Donald Trump, which could lead to sanctions and tariffs affecting Indonesia.

In our most recent webinar, Radityo Dharmaputra explored the potential impact of reduced support from the US and Japan on foreign direct investment, and the country’s need to maintain consistent principles on global issues.

In our latest webinar, Iqbal Bagus Alfiansyah highlighted Indonesia’s shift to a more active foreign policy under President Prabowo Subianto, emphasising that the country’s stance on international law will significantly impact its global credibility and future economic relations.

In our most recent webinar, our Research Coordinator and Manager, Anastasia Febiola S., highlighted Indonesia’s growing defence ties with Turkey, while stressing the need to evaluate Turkey’s defence sectors.

In our latest webinar, Col. (Army) S. Iskandar discussed Indonesia’s growing defence collaborations with several countries, while highlighting the potential of Turkey’s advanced defence technology for future partnerships.

In our most recent webinar, Jupriyanto emphasised Turkey’s approach of developing a domestic ecosystem while forming international partnerships to enhance defence capabilities.

In our latest webinar, Akbar Abdi Kusumah outlined PT Pindad’s vision to expand beyond land systems into a total defence solutions, highlighting several partnerships with Turkey’s defence industry.

In our most recent webinar, Alman Helvas Ali highlighted Indonesia’s defence diversification challenges, Turkey’s growing defence industry, and the import of unproven missiles from Turkey.

In our most recent webinar, our Research Coordinator and Manager, Anastasia Febiola S., emphasised the need for Indonesia to modernise its aging surface warships fleet while also taking interoperability and collaborative combat capabilities into account.

In our latest webinar, First Admiral Arif Badrudin discussed the necessity to address the lack of network-centric capabilities in the existing surface vessel fleet, while also stressing the importance of enhancing response capabilities and the quality of human resources.

In our latest discussion, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jan Pieter Ate explained that new vessels must be constructed to meet key performance standards, ensuring longevity and minimising technical issues that could hinder operations over an extended period of time.

In our most recent webinar, Curie Maharani Savitri, highlighted TNI AL’s fleet expansion with Western-built vessels that enhance interoperability while emphasising the importance of avoiding ‘goldplating’—acquiring assets that may look appealing but don’t meet operational needs.

In our latest discussion, Alman Helvas Ali, noted the urgent need for new frigates by 2025-2029, with several international shipyards having shown interest in partnerships with local shipyards—details of which will emerge once funding is confirmed.