Indonesia launches new state holding entity for defense sector

Defend ID signs joint development agreements with French and Turkish companies

20220420 Joko 3

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center with arms crossed, wants his country to "build a strong and modern defense industry." (Photo courtesy of Indonesia's presidential office)

ERWIDA MAULIA, Nikkei staff writer

JAKARTA -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday launched a new state-owned holding entity for the defense sector as Jakarta aims to reduce its level of foreign dependence in the procurement of weapons and equipment.

State-owned electronics equipment manufacturer LEN Industri has been appointed as Indonesia's new defense industry holding entity with a new name: Defense Industry Indonesia, or Defend ID. It oversees four other state-owned companies in related sectors. They are shipbuilder PAL Indonesia, aircraft maker Dirgantara Indonesia, explosives producer Dahana and tank and weaponry manufacturer Pindad.

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