OUR SEA NEIGHBORS: Indonesia, 2025

August 1, 2025: Turkey to build Cakir Cruise Missiles in Indonesia, US’ “Ammo” Factory in Philippines should also build Missiles of the same Level

The Turkish Company "Roketsan" has established a Joint Venture with the Indonesian Company "PT Republikorp" to build a Missile Production Factory in Indonesia that will produce Missiles like the "Cakir" (pronounced as "Cha-kur"). 

The Cakir is a General Purpose Cruise Missile that weighs around 350 kg, has a 70 kg Warhead and a range of up to 150 km. It can be used against all Types of Sea or Land Targets, and has various Guidance Systems. It even has Terrain-following and Datalink Capability. 

The Cakir is available in various Configurations that allows it to be launched from Aircraft, Ships or Land Vehicles. No Information yet was provided though on the Construction and start of Operations of the said Factory. 

MY THOUGHTS:

This is just another Reminder of how far ahead of us our Neighboring Countries like Indonesia are in Terms of Defense, and how their Alliance with Turkey is already producing Results, allowing them to build these Missiles into their Country. 

Now the United States (US) wants to put up an “Ammunition” Factory here in the Philippines, but as per the News Reports, no Information yet has been released on what Types of “Ammunition” they plan to produce here. 

But as of right now, I would be very disappointed if this proposed Factory won’t make anything similar to the Cakir Missile that Indonesia will now be producing. The Cakir is about similar in Weight to the AGM-65 Maverick Missile that our FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft is using, but the Cakir is WAY better or superior than it. 

For one, the Cakir has a much longer range than the Maverick, around three to four times more, and the Maverick doesn’t have Terrain-following nor Datalink Capability. 

I know that Sara Duterte is against the said US Ammunition Plant, but I respectfully disagree with her, I think it would be good, especially if we will be making high-end Missile Systems like Indonesia is doing right now. 

I am still frustrated though that the US can only help us build anything that is for War, not for our Infrastructure at the same Level that China has helped the Administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Indonesia of course also has Territorial Disputes with China, but unlike the Philippines, they choose not to antagonize China over it, and in fact have very close ties with them. Indonesia even license builds a Chinese designed Missile, the C-705. 

SOURCES:

* Production of the Cakir Cruise Missile System has been transferred from Türkiye's Roketsan to the Republic of Indonesia through PT Republik Roketsan Indonesia {Archived Link}

* US Congress eyes setup of Ammo Factory, Depot at Subic {Archived Link}

May 27, 2025: Indonesia reportedly planning to buy secondhand J-10 Aircraft from China, and resume acquisition of Su-35 Aircraft from Russia

Anonymous Sources recently leaked to the "Alert 5" Website that Indonesia is reportedly planning on acquiring 42 J-10 Vigorous Dragon Fighter Aircraft from China and are also resuming their acquisition of Su-35 Fighter Aircraft from Russia. 

Indonesia reportedly wants to have these Aircraft as soon as Possible, hence the J-10 will be secondhand Units taken from the Inventory of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China. A formal Announcement for these Deals is expected to be made during the "Indo Defence Expo and Forum" in the middle of this Month of June 2025. 

If these Deals push thru, it will likely end the Plan of Indonesia to acquire the F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Aircraft from the United States (US). 

You can read the Article itself from the Alert 5 Website here: https://alert5.com/2025/05/27/indonesia-revives-abandoned-su-35-deal-adds-chinese-j-10s/

MY THOUGHTS:

If these Deals does push thru, it will have “Earth-shattering” Geopolitical Implications for the Countries involved. For one, it will make Indonesia the first Export Customer for the J-10 in South East Asia (SEA), and this also seems to be the first Fighter Aircraft buy of Indonesia from China. 

And of course it will move Indonesia closer to China and Russia, and away from the US. But I think that the J-10 Deal with China is more likely to move forward, I don’t think that the US will ignore Sanctions on Indonesia if it buys the Su-35 but not the F-15EX. 

Indonesia I feel will have to buy both the Su-35 and F-15EX to escape US Sanctions, or just buy the F-15EX only. Remember also that both China and Indonesia also have unresolved Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea (SCS), and yet that has not stopped them from moving closer together. 

And imagine them getting Stocks from the PLAAF despite having that Dispute. In this Way I admire Indonesia greatly for doing what is best for their Country and resisting Pressure from the US. 

SOURCE: Indonesia revives abandoned Su-35 Deal, adds Chinese J-10s {Archived Link}

February 11, 2025: The Chinese Company “Welong New Materials” plans to invest in a Usd 68 million Factory in Indonesia to produce Textile Fibers to be used by International Apparel Brands

The Chinese Company "Welong New Materials" is planning to invest in a Usd 68 million Chemical Fiber Production Factory in Indonesia. Once completed, the Factory will be able to produce up to 70,000 tons of Solution-dyed Fibers and 30,000 recycled Colored Fibers, and generate up to Usd 164 million in Sales per Year. 

These Fibers are used by different International Apparel Brands like Nike, Adidas, etc. and will be a big boost to Indonesia’s Textile Industry. 

Here is the Link to the “Yicai Global” Website: https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/chinas-welong-to-invest-up-to-usd68-million-to-build-green-fiber-plant-in-indonesia 

SOURCE: China’s Welong to Invest Up to USD68 Million to Build Green Fiber Plant in Indonesia {Archived Link}

January 31, 2025: Chinese Companies sell record number of EVs in Indonesia

Despite their ongoing Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) over the Natuna Islands, Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturers still were able to sell a record number of their EVs in Indonesia in 2024, more than doubling that of 2023 when they sold over 43,000 Units. 

The Chinese Company "Build Your Dreams (BYD)" sold the most number of Evs there with 15,000 Units. The 43,000 Evs sold is only around 5% of the total number of Vehicles sold in Indonesia last Year, but the Sales of Conventional Vehicles haver already gone down by 14% compared to 2023, reflecting the changing Consumer Preferences in that Country. 

BYD is expecting to complete its Usd 1.3 billion worth EV Assembly Plant in West Java by 2026 and it will be capable of assembling up to 100,000 EVs per Year, which will likely further increase the adoption of EVs in Indonesia.

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Pressreader” Website: https://www.pressreader.com/singapore/the-business-times/20250201/281556591516221

SOURCE: Chinese EVs drive record high Sales in Indonesia, set for Explosive Growth in 2025 {Archived Link}

January 11, 2025: Indonesia CG visits CG in China despite Natuna Islands Dispute

So while the Philippines is busy constantly quarreling with the China and only China over Territorial Disputes and not with other Countries who have also stolen our Territory like Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan, the Indonesia Coast Guard which is also known as the "Bakamla" in the Indonesia Language was out busy establishing solid relations with the China Coast Guard (CCG). 

This Despite the Fact that both Indonesia and China also have an ongoing Territorial Dispute over the Natuna Islands. No less than the Vice Admiral of the Bakamla, Dr. Irvansyah, led a Delegation that visited Beijing in China recently to meet with Top Officials of the CCG. 

Both Sides agreed during the Meeting to deepen Pragmatic Cooperation, Safeguard Maritime Security and Order, and to properly handle Maritime Disputes. The Delegation also got to visit several CCG Ships and Units in Guangzhou City in the Guangdong Province during their four-Day visit in China.

SOURCES: 

* China Coast Guard and Indonesia Coast Guard hold 1st High Level Meeting in Beijing {Archived Link}

* Indonesia Coast Guard Facebook Page Post, 01/11/25 – 1346H {Archived Link}

January 7, 2025: Indonesia elevated to Full Member Status of BRICS

Indonesia, the largest Economy in South East Asia (SEA) in Terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has recently been elevated to become a Full Member now of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Intergovernmental Organization, bringing the total number of Countries in the Organization to ten. 

The BRICS Organization now comprise of the following Countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia. 

Three other Countries in SEA, namely Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam are already Partial or Partner Countries in BRICS, and are just awaiting their elevation to Full Member Status. Another SEA Country, Laos, has expressed its Interest in joining the Organization also. 

Remember that BRICS is dominated by China and Russia, and Indonesia also has Territorial Disputes with China, but they refused to be goaded into antagonizing China over this and also refused to be a Dog to the United States (US) like the Philippines is now.

Here is the Link to the Article on the “Block Media” Website: https://www.eblockmedia.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=10300

SOURCE: Indonesia, ASEAN's Largest Economy, Joins BRICS: Will China and Russia's Influence Grow? {Archived Link}

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