Jokowi Launches Defend ID, Indonesian Defense Industry Holding

TheIndonesia.id - President Joko Widodo asked the newly launched defense industry state-owned enterprises holding, Defend ID, to fulfill the promise of increasing the domestic content level (TKDN) for superior defense products. When delivering his remarks at the launch of Defend ID in Surabaya, Wednesday, President Jokowi said that currently, the TKDN of defense products is at 41 percent.

"I request that the TKDN of superior defense products continue to be increased from the current figure of 41 percent so that it can continue to rise and increase, and in the end, it will be 100 percent," said the President in the event, which was watched via a live broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's official YouTube channel, Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

President Jokowi also noted another promise from the formation of Defend ID that this BUMN holding could penetrate the list of the top 50 defense companies in the world. "And I have recorded this promise. I have recorded this promise," said the President.

The Head of State also requested that Defend ID not only be presented to meet the needs of domestic defense and security products but also become part of the global supply chain. "We must move quickly, be agile and observant to see opportunities, proactively respond to opportunities so that we can become part of the global supply chain. This is very important, of course, while prioritizing the fulfillment of domestic needs," he said.

Defend ID is the holding of five state-owned defense industries headed by PT LEN Industri together with PT Pindad, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT PAL Indonesia, and PT Dahana. The President had expressed how much he was looking forward to the presence of Defend ID to consolidate SOEs engaged in the defense industry while strengthening the ecosystem and increasing competitiveness and being able to generate profits.

Along with the launch, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto also reported the signing of the collaboration between Defend ID and the Ministry of Defense. Two collaborations signed were with the foreign defense industry, namely an initial agreement on defense electronics technology between PT LEN Industri and Thales International SAS from France and a memorandum of understanding for joint production of amphibious assault vehicle products between PT Pindad and FNSS Savunma Sistemleri from Turkey.

Also accompanying President Jokowi in launching Defend ID in Surabaya were SOE Minister Erick Thohir, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.