Indonesia’s $125B defense investment to Include 50 warships

Indonesia has revealed that a portion of its planned $125 billion investment in defense will go to procuring up to 50 new warships over the next two years.

Defense minister Prabowo Subianto revealed that news of the allocation has reached Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who has voiced “tremendous support” for the military’s procurement proposals.

Subianto has not provided specific details about the warships the Indonesian Navy will deploy.

According to a report by Breaking Defense, the loss of one of Indonesia’s aging submarines last year and persistent Chinese incursions into the island nation’s economic zone likely prompted Prabowo and Joko to increase defense investments.

Last year, Babcock International signed an agreement with Indonesia’s PT PAL to construct two modified versions of the AH140 frigate in Jakarta. Prabowo has also signed contracts for six Italian FREMM multi-role frigates and two refurbished Italian Navy Maestrale-class light frigates.