Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, met with Czech Defense Minister, Jana Cernochova, at the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Jakarta, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, discussing increased defense cooperation, including renewal of Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and strengthening the defense industry. 

Indonesian Defense Ministry Spokesman, Brigadier General Frega Wenas Inkiriwang, said that the renewal of the DCA was one of the main agendas in the discussion between the two ministers. 

"This visit also discussed how the defense cooperation agreement can be renewed," Frega told a press conference after the meeting. 

So far, defense cooperation between Indonesia and the Czech Republic includes the procurement of main weapons systems (alutsista), including radar, weapons, and combat vehicles, such as tanks.

Frega assessed that Czech defense equipment products have good quality and competitive prices, making them a strategic choice for Indonesia. 

He cited that cooperation with the Czech Republic could be an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen an independent national defense industry.

"The two ministers agreed to make defense cooperation a priority, especially in the development of the defense equipment industry," he said. 

In addition to defense equipment, the cooperation agreement that will be renewed also opens up opportunities in the fields of cyber defense, military training, and education. 

"Although not all aspects are listed in the DCA, there are several other opportunities for cooperation that can be done, including technology exchange," Frega said. 

He emphasized that Indonesia needs international partners who are willing to carry out technology transfer (ToT) in order to improve the capabilities of the domestic defense industry.

"The meeting earlier showed the understanding of both parties in concretizing broader defense industry cooperation," he concluded.