Indonesia bolsters armed forces with new ships, aircraft and submarines acquired under Prabowo
Indonesia has taken delivery of a wide range of new naval, air and land weapons systems procured during Prabowo Subianto's defence ministry tenure, including frigates, drones, fighter jets and a rescue submarine.
During President Prabowo Subianto's administration, Indonesia completed a major wave of defence procurements that arrived between 2025 and 2026. The navy added two Italian-built frigates, KRI Brawijaya-320 and KRI Prabu Siliwangi-321, and the domestically built fast-attack craft KRI Belati-622 with a hybrid propulsion system. The air force received Turkish Anka-S drones, two Airbus A400M Atlas transports, six French Rafale fighters, six South Korean T-50i Golden Eagles, and four Dassault Falcon 8X business jets.
A rescue submarine, KRI Canopus-936, built jointly by Germany’s Abeking & Rasmussen and PT Palindo Marine, entered service, while the former Italian carrier KRI Sriwijaya-100 was transferred in September 2026. The army took delivery of two Russian Mi-35M helicopters and the navy’s marine corps acquired twelve US-made AAV-M35 amphibious combat vehicles. Officials highlighted that these purchases are paired with technology-transfer collaborations, notably PT PAL’s modernization of KRI Sriwijaya alongside Fincantieri, to strengthen Indonesia’s domestic defence industry and create jobs. Admiral Muhammad Ali and defence spokesperson Rico Ricardo Sirait emphasized the strategic and economic benefits, while noting that full self-reliance will develop gradually.
Why it matters
The acquisitions reshape Indonesia's military capabilities and aim to develop a self-sufficient defence industry.
In this story
Related stories
4 in this thread