Bandung, November 22, 2025 — The Department of International Relations of Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar), through HMPSHI in collaboration with the Center for International Relations Studies (PACIS) Unpar, held a Defense Diplomacy 4.0 activity with the theme ” Shaping Global Power Through Strategic Industry .” This activity is part of the academic series of Economics, Diplomacy, Communication, and Politics Projects, as well as a pre-event towards the International Conference on International Relations (ICON-IR) 2026. This program is designed to strengthen students’ understanding of the relationship between the defense industry, strategic diplomacy, and the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045.
The activity took place offline in the Audio Visual Room, FISIP Unpar, with three defense industry practitioners present, namely Mr. Moh. Arif Faisal (Director of Commerce, Technology and Development – PT Dirgantara Indonesia), Mr. Samuel Zefanya (Export Sales Marketing Manager – PT Pindad), and Mr. Ikhfan Ammar Rangkuti (Technical Manager of Defense Satellite Project – PT Len Industri). The discussion also featured Mrs. Meyta Saraswaty Putri, a lecturer in International Relations at Unpar, who has professional experience as Head of Marketing Strategy for Aircraft and Aerostructures at PT Dirgantara Indonesia, as a resource person. Guided by Mrs. Ratih Indraswari as moderator, this discussion focused on discussing the relationship between global geopolitical dynamics, national defense industry governance, and Indonesia’s strategy in building technological independence through defense diplomacy instruments.
The Aerospace Industry in Defense Diplomacy and the National Technological Independence Agenda
The first presentation session was delivered by Mr. Moh. Arif Faisal, Director of Business, Technology, and Development of PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI). In his presentation, he emphasized PTDI’s role as one of the main pillars of the Indonesian defense industry, developing a comprehensive aerospace system that spans aircraft design and construction, aerostructure production, and maintenance, repair, and modernization (MRO) services. This capability makes PTDI not only a defense equipment manufacturer but also a strategic actor in Indonesia’s defense diplomacy.
In his presentation, Mr. Arif Faisal explained that strengthening the defense industry depends heavily on international cooperation schemes accompanied by technology transfer. Under the Countertrade, Local Content, and Offset (IDKLO) obligation, every acquisition of defense equipment from abroad must provide added value to the national industry. PTDI also participates in joint development projects, such as the fighter jet program with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the planned drone collaboration with Turkey, which facilitate technology transfer from the design stage to testing.
To expand the domestic technology base, PTDI is building an innovation ecosystem through collaborations with platforms such as INACOM, universities, research institutions, BRIN, and Balitbang. This synergy is expected to ensure that competencies gained from international cooperation can be internalized and developed sustainably. However, Mr. Arif Faisal emphasized that the acceleration of national innovation is still hampered by inconsistent implementation of offset policies, limited long-term research funding, and the government’s suboptimal commitment to absorbing domestic products.
Strengthening the Defense Industry for National Independence
Mr. Samuel Zefannya, Export Sales Marketing Manager of PT Pindad, delivered the second presentation. He emphasized that defense diplomacy is not solely about military operations but also encompasses industrial activities with long-term strategic impacts, ranging from ammunition exports, defense equipment grants, research collaborations, co-production, and joint exercises that involve skills transfer and interoperability between countries.
PT Pindad, which currently exports ammunition to the United States and several Asian countries, views industrial diplomacy as a means of increasing international confidence in Indonesia’s defense capabilities. According to Mr. Samuel, every export contract is essentially a form of statecraft, as it positions Indonesia as a reliable defense partner in the regional security architecture. Furthermore, knowledge of international relations is crucial for understanding geopolitical dynamics, identifying the needs of partner countries, and navigating opportunities for cooperation, including by leveraging Indonesia’s diplomatic network abroad to open new markets.
Within the context of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, Mr. Samuel emphasized that strengthening the national defense ecosystem is the foundation of industrial independence. This includes technological modernization, human resource capacity building, and maintaining the domestic supply chain for strategic components. By expanding international cooperation, developing dual-use technology capabilities, and establishing cross-border production networks, Indonesia can enhance its position in the global defense supply chain and increase its leverage in security diplomacy at both regional and international levels.
Indonesia’s Strategy for Building Defense Technology Sovereignty
The third presentation was delivered by Ikhfan Ammar Rangkuti, Technical Manager for the Defense Satellite Project at PT Len Industri. In his presentation, he emphasized that critical systems, from radar and avionics to military communications systems and satellites, are strategic components that cannot be entirely dependent on the supply or control of other countries. Dependence on foreign technology in critical areas can create strategic vulnerability, especially when conflict or geopolitical tensions escalate and the supplier country delays, limits, or even stops access to the technology.
As a defense systems integrator, PT Len Industri focuses on developing critical technologies that not only strengthen the defense posture but also offer broad benefits to the civilian sector. Satellite technology, for example, plays a vital role in regional monitoring, disaster mitigation, and improving transportation, energy, and public security services. This dual-use technology approach demonstrates that investment in defense technology has significant spillover effects on the national development ecosystem.
According to Mr. Ikhfan, accelerating defense technology independence requires consistent state support, ranging from ensuring product absorption, regulatory stability, long-term financing, and sustainable research funding. He emphasized that progress in the defense industry cannot be achieved in isolation; close collaboration between the government, industry, academia, research institutions, and the private sector is needed to build a robust innovation ecosystem. This synergy is the primary foundation for Indonesia to achieve defense technology independence and strengthen its position in global strategic competition.
Industry as the Face of Indonesian Defense Diplomacy
In the final presentation, Ms. Meyta Saraswaty Putri explained that the defense industry plays a crucial role as the face of Indonesian diplomacy. The purchase of defense equipment is not merely a sale-and-purchase transaction, but a form of long-term diplomatic commitment between the purchasing and producing countries. This creates a lock-in effect lasting 30 to 50 years, as the need for training, spare parts, maintenance, and technological upgrades always accompanies each defense equipment purchase. In many cases, this relationship continues through technology transfer, research cooperation, and maintenance collaboration, creating a strategic long-term connection between the purchasing country and the producer.
Furthermore, Ms. Meyta emphasized that Indonesian defense industry products have strategic value because they are dual-use technologies, meaning they can be used for both military and civilian purposes. Avionics and radar technology from LEN and PTDI aircraft can be utilized for disaster monitoring, maritime patrols, and border surveillance. PAL’s maritime technology supports research vessels and hospital ships, while Pindad develops cybersecurity solutions that strengthen national digital security. Thus, the defense industry contributes to the human security ecosystem, not just military capacity.
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Author: Nazwa
