Indonesia and Czech Republic Strengthen Defense Ties with DCA Renewal

TheIndonesia.id - Indonesia's Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Czech Defense Minister Jana ernochová have agreed to enhance defense cooperation between the two countries during a meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, as reported Antara News Agency.

According to Brigadier General Frega Ferdinand Wenas Inkiriwang, Head of the Ministry of Defense’s information bureau, the discussions focused on renewing the expiring Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), originally signed in 2006. Minister ernochová's visit was an opportunity to address the renewal of this important agreement.

"We have an expiring DCA in 2023, and Minister ernochová's visit included talks about renewing the agreement," stated Brigadier General Inkiriwang.

The Czech Republic is recognized for producing high-quality main weapons systems at competitive prices, and the two countries are exploring new avenues for cooperation in defense procurement, military equipment, and technology transfer. Additionally, the discussion covered potential collaborations in military education, including military-to-military training.

"We also discussed opportunities for cooperation in defense education, especially through the Czech Republic's Defense University," Inkiriwang added. He noted that defense cooperation extends beyond equipment, emphasizing the importance of human resource development.

Currently, negotiations are underway involving the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as the renewal of the DCA requires higher-level involvement, including contributions from President Prabowo Subianto. As such, the timeline for finalizing the agreement remains uncertain, with discussions possibly taking several months or even up to a year to complete.

Both countries share a strong commitment to defense cooperation and hope to finalize the DCA renewal soon, further strengthening their long-standing bilateral relationship.