John Haseman, Bangkok – India and Indonesia have signed a military co-operation agreement to expand military contacts and training opportunities and to step up defence purchases. The agreement was signed during Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mid-January visit to Jakarta.
Indonesia cited a need to find additional sources for defence equipment because its primary supplier, the USA, has halted most arms sales. This is in protest against the Indonesian Army's participation in widespread violence and human rights abuses in East Timor in recent years. India needs customers for its burgeoning defence industries and could be expected to offer generous prices to gain access to the Indonesian market.
Chronic maintenance problems, unrelated to the US boycott, also plague Indonesia's armed forces. The air force's Lockheed Martin C-130 transport fleet, for example, is reportedly reduced to only four operational aircraft.
In addition, President Abdurrahman Wahid said in mid-December that only eight of the air force's 30 helicopters were operational. He also cited the 1960s-era Soviet amphibious tanks in the marine corps and the ancient vessels used by the Maritime Police as equipment in urgent need of replacement.
The USA recently agreed to resume shipment of C-130 spare parts, based on humanitarian missions frequently flown by the transport aircraft in Indonesia. However, the ban on sales of weapons and military equipment remains in place.
The agreement with India marks a notable shift in Indonesian thinking. The armed forces have long been wary of India's rapidly expanding 'blue water' naval capabilities. However, the two countries share important interests in Indian Ocean waters, and northwestern Sumatra and Sabang Island are close to India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Since taking office President Wahid has prioritised modernisation and expansion of the navy and air force to implement his high-priority policy of better surveillance and protection of Indonesia's vast maritime resources. Fisheries poaching, smuggling, and illegal resource extraction in remote regions of the Indonesian archipelago drain billions of dollars from the country's economy.
Jordan has also offered to donate and sell military materiel to Indonesia. Jordan reportedly is interested in providing aircraft, spare parts and other equipment.
Added to similar military co-operation agreements signed last year with Russia and China, it is clear Indonesia will seek actively to nvestment