Indonesia military

Defense cooperation between Washington and Jakarta is on an upswing, but on the Indonesian side clear limits remain.

Despite a rash of major defense acquisitions, the country still spends a relatively low percentage of its GDP on defense.

The 2023 Super Garuda Shield exercise will involve 24 nations as participants or observers, including several for the first time.

The non-combat drills, the first to be held by the Southeast Asian bloc, will now take place near Batam island, well outside China's "nine-dash line" claim.

The fleet of 12 Mirage 2000-5 jets is intended to bridge the air force over until the delivery of a new fleet of French fighters beginning in early 2026.

The country has long sought to balance the operational and strategic needs of the military against the political imperative to contribute to economic development.

What motivated President Joko Widodo's recent acknowledgement of gross past human rights abuses?

Indonesia's experience of democratization could offer a path forward for Myanmar – but only if the country's generals have the political will.

In its annual human rights report, the organization KontraS documented 72 cases of unlawful killings by police and military personnel.

The two purchases reflect both the ambition of Indonesia's defense modernization plans and its promiscuous approach to procurements.

Given tight budget constraints, submarines offer Indonesia's navy the greatest bang for its buck.

Since his appointment in 2019, the former general has strengthened the Ministry's position vis-à-vis the country's powerful military.