Indonesia
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Partnerships
Australian Bushmasters boost Indonesian Army’s peacekeeping, modernization efforts
Gusty Da Costa The addition of 15 Bushmaster armored vehicles from Australia will support Indonesia’s defense modernization while boosting interoperability between the nations’ armed forces and highlighting the strong defense ties between the comprehensive strategic partners, officials said. Provided under a $19.4 million grant from Canberra, the Bushmasters will include 13 troop carriers, one command unit and one ambulance unit,…
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Features
Maritime Domain Awareness
FORUM Staff | Photos By United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Securing maritime borders requires more than merely having the technology to detect anomalies; it must also include a workforce trained to analyze the data. People with skills to know what they’re seeing and how to explain and report it are a key component to deterrence. And the United…
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Features
Maritime Transparency
James McAden/HawkEye 360 Radio frequency (RF) space-based technologies aid in maritime domain awareness (MDA) and in the detection of dark vessels or dark ships. At sea, such vessels have disabled their automatic identification system (AIS) responders to avoid the tracking of their location, identity, course and speed, potentially to carry out nefarious activities. MDA poses a challenge, particularly given nations’…
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Climate
Indonesia prioritizes sustainability, security
Gusty Da Costa Indonesia is confronting security challenges triggered by climate change and the urgent need for sustainability and resilience to protect its population and ensure the effectiveness of its military. This awareness translates into action with a plan to transition from fossil fuels, measures to build resilience into its Armed Forces and the establishment of a new “sustainable forest…
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Conflicts - Tensions
PRC, Russia deepen ties amid Beijing’s unconvincing call for peace
FORUM Staff On the heels of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) dubious peace plan in Russia’s war against Ukraine, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Xi Jinping paid a three-day visit to Moscow in March 2023. The PRC billed the trip as a “visit of friendship, cooperation and peace” as Beijing attempts to paint itself as a neutral party…
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Global Commons
CCP-linked hackers stole data from ASEAN servers, analysts say
Benar News Chinese Communist Party-linked hackers stole a trove of data in 2022 from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member-states, which may have contained strategic information on South China Sea and talks with Washington, a cybersecurity firm and analysts said in early March 2023. Confirming the theft reported by Wired magazine, cybersecurity firm Digital Forensic Indonesia…
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Global Commons
Indonesia boosts nickel, rare earth mining as demand surges for defense industry components
Gusty Da Costa Rising demand for minerals vital to the defense industry, such as nickel and the class of minerals known as rare earth elements (REEs), has spurred the Indonesian government to enhance measures to process and explore for the materials. Possessing 37% of the world’s nickel output and 22% of its reserves, Indonesia is currently the top producer of…
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Global Commons
Indonesia boosts naval capabilities with South Korean ships
Gusty Da Costa South Korea will give Indonesia three Pohang-class corvettes — one in 2024 and two in the following two years — as Jakarta has approved spending up to U.S. $21 million to refurbish the warships. The vessels will join the Indonesian Navy’s strike fleet of corvettes, fast missile boats and frigates, Khairul Fahmi, a military expert at Indonesia’s…
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Global Commons
Indonesia strengthening Navy, addressing security challenges with upgraded capabilities
Gusty Da Costa Facing security threats in its neighborhood and evolving defense technology requirements, the Indonesian government is focused on matching its capabilities to meet the challenges of 2023. One key aspect of this effort is modernizing the country’s weapons systems and building facilities and infrastructure for the Armed Forces, particularly the Navy. Adm. Yudo Margono, pictured, commander of the…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Chinese coast guard patrols proposed Indonesian gas field
Radio Free Asia A Chinese Communist Party (CCP) coast guard ship patrolled around Indonesia’s Natuna Islands in the South China Sea just as Jakarta approved a plan to develop an offshore gas field there, ship tracking data showed. CCG 5901, the world’s largest coast guard vessel, entered the area December 30, 2022, according to the data. In early January 2023,…
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