INDO DEFENCE 2014, Indonesia's international defence expo & forum,
kicked-off today at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) Kemayoran,
showcasing the latest technologies from the aerospace, naval, land
defence and security industries. Hosted by the Indonesian Ministry of
Defence, the 6th bi-annual exhibition runs from 5 - 8 November, and is
anticipating a record-breaking 18,000 political and military officials,
international delegates, industry professionals and trade visitors.
As
Indonesia's official tri-service defence event, incorporating INDO
AEROSPACE 2014, INDO HELICOPTER 2014 and INDO MARINE 2014, INDO DEFENCE
2014 aims to showcase Indonesia's defence industry and technological
capabilities, as well as provide a forum where international companies
can demonstrate their products and services to military organizations in
Indonesia and across South East Asia.
A total of 56 countries,
including ASEAN, have sent official delegations to participate in the
exhibition, while 23 countries are hosting pavilions. These countries,
among others, include Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Canada, Czech Rep, East Timor, Egypt, France, Germany, India,
Iran, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the
Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South
Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States
and Vietnam.
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, speaking at
the opening ceremony this morning, said the INDO DEFENCE 2014 exhibition
is not only critical for defense purposes, but would prove vital to the
nation's economy. The Indonesian Defence Industry has embraced the
concept of cooperation in promoting growth in the sector, and the vice
president stressed that INDO DEFENCE 2014 along with technological
cooperation between the domestic defense industry and other countries
would positively impact the nation's economy.
The Vice President
further described INDO DEFENCE for purposes not of war, but for
strengthening the nation in order to keep it at peace. "That a country
has the military power not only to fight, but to be at peace, then there
is really something in the defence forces of a nation," said Kalla.
Leading domestic defence
industry companies at this year's exhibition, including 9 national
state-owned enterprises and 158 private enterprises, are PT. AT, PT.
PINDAD, PT. LEN, PT. Dok Koja Bahari, PT. INTI, PT. Krakatau Steel, PT.
Shipbuilding Industry Indonesia, PT. PAL, and PT. Dahana, PT. Bhimasena,
PT CMI, PT. Sari Bahari, PT. Guard Persada, T & E Simulation, PT.
Farin Indonesia, PT. Palindo Marine, PT. Tesco Indomaritim, and so on.
Indonesian
government agencies participating, among others, include the Maritime
Security Agency, Basarnas, BPPT, BNPP, LIPI, the Space Agency, the Army,
National Police, and the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of
Industry.
In addition to the exhibition, an international
seminar entitled "Exploring Defence Offsets in Indonesia: Expectation,
Partnership, and Strategies of Engagement" is being held. The seminar is
expected to build cooperation between Indonesia's defense industry and
those of other countries through technology transfer activities that
will grow the capability of local industry. In turn, this will help the
defense industry in boosting the economy through investment.
