President Prabowo Subianto opened the Indo Defence Expo & Forum 2025, Indonesia’s largest biennial international defense industry exhibition, at the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO) in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. 

Addressing the opening ceremony, the president underscored the importance of technological advancement in defense and reaffirmed Indonesia’s unwavering commitment to national sovereignty.

“This expo is not merely a technology showcase. It is an opportunity for our domestic defence industries, partner nations, the academic community, political leaders, and especially the youth of Indonesia to observe and absorb the latest advancements in defence technology and science,” Prabowo said.

With the theme “Defense Innovation for Global Peace and Stability,” the 2025 edition of Indo Defence features 1,180 exhibitors from 42 countries, including 659 foreign companies and 521 Indonesian manufacturers, marking it as one of the largest defence expos in Southeast Asia.

Prabowo, a retired general and former Minister of Defense turned head of state, issued a strong reminder about the strategic necessity of a robust defense capability.

“No rational nation desires war. War is destructive and leads only to devastation. But history has shown us that nations unwilling to invest in their own defense will face the consequences: the loss of sovereignty and ultimately, subjugation,” he said.

“Indonesia is a peace-loving nation, but we love our independence even more,” he added.

Technocrat generation

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, who delivered his remarks alongside President Prabowo, highlighted the increasing involvement of Indonesian engineers and technocrats in the domestic defence manufacturing process.

“This exhibition is not just a parade of military hardware. It is a signal of the rise of Indonesia’s new generation of defence technocrats,” Sjafrie said. “Many of the featured innovations were developed and led by young Indonesian talents.”

The exhibition features cutting-edge systems from Indonesian state-owned defense enterprises, including:

PT Pindad, showcasing the electric tactical vehicle Maung MP3 EV, the Harimau medium tank, and the latest SS3 assault rifle

PT PAL Indonesia, presenting the Red and White Frigate, hospital support ships, and Landing Platform Dock (LPD) vessels

PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI), contributing its modernization program for F-15 fighter jets

PT LEN Industri, unveiling innovations such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) combat management systems, and electric scooters and rickshaws for both military and civilian purposes.

International presence

This year’s Indo Defence has drawn high-ranking military and defense officials from a wide array of partner nations. Confirmed attendees include the defense ministers of Brunei Dariussalam, Japan, South Korea, Bosnia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste, along with senior military commanders from Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Cambodia, Turkiye, Iran, and Sri Lanka.

Foreign exhibitors also brought forward their flagship defense products, including:

Russia’s Sukhoi-57 fifth-generation fighter jet

Turkiye’s Aselsan AF300 G radar system

France’s Dassault Rafale multirole fighter

Expanding beyond conventional military tools, Indo Defence 2025 also showcases technologies aimed at disaster response and humanitarian missions, such as emergency shelters, mobile medical equipment, and crisis communication systems.

The event, which runs from June 11 to 14 positions Indonesia not only as a burgeoning defense market but also as a key player in promoting global peace and regional security through innovation and multilateral collaboration.