State Defense Industry Must Expand Market, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi leads a Limited Cabinet Meeting at PT PAL, Surabaya, Monday (27/1). (Photo by: PR/Agung).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered state-owned defense companies to expand their market.

“The expansion has been well executed by PT PAL (state-owned shipbuilder), PT Pindad (state-owned weapons manufacturer), and PT DI (state-owned aircraft manufacturer),” President Jokowi said in his remarks at a Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Development of Primary Weapon Defense Systems (Alutsista) Policy in Surabaya, Monday (27/1).

According to the President, other things that need to be carried out by these companies are technology transfer, production cooperation between state-owned enterprises, increase in Local Content Requirement (TKDN), and development of production chain between state-owned enterprises, SMEs, as well as private companies.

President Jokowi also urged that the development of alutsista can absorb and adopt the latest digital military technology development. “This requires a leap, but I am sure (we can do it) since our state-owned companies have established partnership with reputable foreign companies,” he added.

Furthermore, the President ordered his Cabinet to be able to deal with military technology leap in the next 20-50 years.

“As well as being able to understand and master automation technology, sensor technology that supports remote sensing system and 5G technology, and quantum computing that spurs the development of autonomous weapons systems as well as cyber defense,” President Jokowi concluded. (AIT/EN)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana