Indonesia and Turkiye on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 signed a memorandum of understanding on key defense cooperation agreement with a focus on the procurement and potential co-development of fifth-generation fighter jets.

The agreement was signed by Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Turkish Defense Industries President Haluk Görgün in a ceremony held on the sidelines of the Indo Defence Expo & Forum 2025 inJakarta and witnessed by President Prabowo Subianto.

Prior to the signing of the agreement, President Prabowo visited several exhibits featuring Turkish military technology. Among products on display was a scale model of KAAN, Turkey’s cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. The grey aircraft, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), has become a symbol of Ankara’s rising profile in the global defense market.

The signing represents the culmination of intensive talks between Jakarta and Ankara, following a meeting between Prabowo and Görgün on May 16, 2025, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. The meeting, publicly acknowledged by Görgün on his social media, hinted at “transformative projects” in defense cooperation.

KAAN and Indonesia’s fighter jet

KAAN (previously known as TF-X) is Turkey’s answer to the global demand for next-gen air superiority fighters, equipped with stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and multi-role combat performance. Its development aligns with Indonesia’s ambitions to modernize its aging air fleet amid evolving regional security dynamics.

The collaboration could pave the way not only for procurement but also technology transfer, local production, and training programs, in keeping with Prabowo’s longstanding emphasis on strengthening Indonesia’s defense industrial base.

Sjafrie emphasized that the agreement signals Indonesia’s intent to invest in future technologies while strengthening ties with trusted partners.

“This is not merely about acquiring platforms. This is about building long-term strategic capacity with our partners, including Turkiye, who have demonstrated commitment to technological sovereignty,” Sjafrie said after the signing.

Indonesia has in recent years diversified its defense procurement sources, working with South Korea, the United States, France, and now Turkiye, to bolster its national defense amid increasingly complex security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

The defense expo, which runs from June 11 to 14, 2025 hosts over 1,180 participants from 42 countries, and is widely seen as a platform to cultivate defense diplomacy. Turkiye’s strong presence this year underscores its growing presence as a global defense exporter, with particular strengths in aerospace, UAVs, armored vehicles, and naval systems.

While details of the MoU remain confidential, officials suggest that a technical working group will be formed immediately to map out implementation strategies, including cost-sharing, joint development timelines, and potential involvement of Indonesian state-owned defense companies, such as PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI).