India and Indonesia aren't just friendly neighbors – they're getting serious about teaming up to keep the region safe. A brand-new exhibition in Jakarta showcased a major milestone in their defence partnership, especially as both countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties.
This wasn't just some small meet-and-greet. Big names in the Indian defence industry were out in force, with over 36 companies showing up, including government heavyweights and private powerhouses. They rubbed shoulders with top Indonesian defence companies, plus top brass from Indonesia's military and coast guard.
India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, kicked things off by highlighting India's determination to be a self-reliant powerhouse, set to become the world's third-largest economy. He also explained how India's iDEX program is connecting the dots between the military and cutting-edge startups to boost their defence tech.
Companies like BrahMos, Larsen & Toubro, and those heavyweights Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics, wowed the crowd with their latest and greatest innovations. A total of 50 exhibitors showed off their stuff, proving this exhibition wasn't messing around.
A high-ranking official from India's Ministry of Defence, T. Natarajan, gave everyone a glimpse of just how far India's defence sector has come. Exports have skyrocketed in recent years, hitting a whopping US$2.63 billion in 2023. India's got its sights set on becoming a top defence exporter very soon!
From the Indonesian side, Major General Piek Budyakto, Director General (Defence Potential) praised the ever-growing India-Indonesia defence relationship and their strong shared commitment to security in the region.
