President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, discusses the country's military challenges, modernization, and regional security. Experts analyze defense spending, strategic planning, and the balancing act with global powers. Insights on procurement challenges, military structure, and the importance of military exchanges are explored. The podcast delves into Indonesia's historical background, defense strategies, and the evolving security landscape.
Prabowo's presidency may reshape Indonesian military strategies through procurement and international agreements.
Indonesia's military faces challenges in modernization and regional security pressures amidst evolving dynamics.
Indonesia aims to become a significant military power by addressing funding gaps, industry sustainability, and logistical complexities.
Deep dives
Indonesia's Military Modernization under New Leadership
Indonesia's defense minister Prabhóo Sibiano, elected with over 96 million votes, aims to transform the Indonesian military. He faces decisions on defense spending increases, armed forces modernization, and redefining the military's purpose. The country stands at a crossroads, considering neutrality, alignment with major powers, and military restructuring to become a regional power in Southeast Asia.
Historical Context and Geography of Indonesia
Indonesia's history showcases shifts in alliance during the Sukarno and Suharto eras. With a diverse population spread over 17,000 islands, Indonesia's geopolitical significance is immense. The military's formation during the independence struggle and its role in safeguarding sovereignty and aiding in natural disasters highlight its internal and humanitarian focus.
Challenges and Changes in Indonesian Military Structures
Indonesia's military structure, emphasizing battalion-level commands with financial strains on commanders, reveals a unique approach requiring reforms. Recent initiatives of joint territorial defense commands signify a shift towards coordinating multi-branch responses. Procurement strategies involving varied international suppliers pose challenges, demanding potential changes for efficiency and sustainability, especially amidst geopolitical pressures from the US and China.
Challenges in Indonesian Military Policy and Procurement
The Indonesian military faces challenges as decisions on procurement are made by the Minister of Defense rather than the military itself. This has led to concerns within the military regarding strategic purchases and their alignment with military priorities. The success of Indonesia's military policy over the next decade hinges on its modernization efforts and the country's overall progress. To achieve military modernization, Indonesia must also focus on advancing its infrastructure, healthcare, education systems, and social services.
Complexities in Indonesia's Defense Spending and Industry
Indonesia's defense spending is capped at 1% of GDP, raising concerns about the adequacy of funding for military needs. Options to address this funding gap include issuing bonds or acquiring loans to boost the defense budget. Indonesia's domestic arms industry shows some self-sufficiency in producing small arms and light vehicles, but struggles with larger military assets like tanks and jet fighters, indicating dependency on foreign assistance. While Indonesia aims to strengthen its defense capabilities, challenges in funding, industry sustainability, and logistical complexities pose obstacles to its military modernization efforts.
As President Prabowo Subianto prepares to enter the presidency, the Indonesian military stands at a crucial juncture, navigating both traditional and emerging defence challenges. With Prabowo's extensive military background and his previous five years at the helm of the armed forces, this term is particularly poised to potentially reshape strategies around procurement, international agreements, and even the core tenets of the Indonesian military itself. This week, we delve into the evolving dynamics within the Indonesian military as it grapples with modernisation and regional security pressures, and examine the potential shifts and tough decisions likely to fall onto his desk during the next five years. So why is this term likely the most important for the military? What do Prabowo's purchases and policy shifts tell us about his future policies, and will Indonesia finally take its place as a significant military power within Southeast Asia? We ask our panel of experts:
On the panel this week:
- John Blaxland (ANU)
- Natalie Sambhi (Verve Research)
- Collin Koh (RSIS)
Intro - 00:00
PART 1 - 02:03
PART 2 - 18:47
PART 3 - 44:05
Outro - 1:03:10
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