From Diplomacy to Industry: Evaluating the Long-Term Impacts of Indonesia – Türkiye Defense Cooperation on Regional Stability

Year 2025, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 1 - 20, 31.03.2025

Nurul Athirah

https://doi.org/10.69510/mipos.1637396

Abstract

Building on over seventy years of relations, Indonesia-Türkiye’s bilateral cooperation experienced significant growth following the 2010 defense agreement. The collaboration between Indonesia and Türkiye exemplifies a progressive method in defense diplomacy, integrating strategic cooperation with industrial innovations. Anchored in shared geopolitical interests, this collaboration has led to significant advancements, including the development of the Tiger Tank (KAPLAN MT/APC) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), representing critical milestones in Indonesia's defense modernization and industrial self-reliance. This paper evaluates the long-term impacts of Indonesia-Türkiye defense collaboration on Southeast Asia’s regional stability and Indonesia’s defense industry growth. The findings reveal that this partnership provides strategic benefits for both nations. For Indonesia, it facilitates access to advanced defense technology, strengthening its domestic defense industry and reducing reliance on imports. For Türkiye, the partnership solidifies its position as a key defense supplier in Southeast Asia, expanding its geopolitical and economic influence. This study highlights the dual role of the Indonesia-Türkiye partnership in enhancing Indonesia’s defense capabilities and contributing to a resilient regional security architecture amid intensifying great power rivalries. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative methodology, the research draws on official documents, bilateral agreements, policy statements, academic literature, and media reports. The findings reveals that this collaboration advances Indonesia’s technological independence, strengthens its geopolitical positioning, and supports a more autonomous foreign policy. Amid a complex global geopolitical landscape, the partnership serves as a critical foundation for shared national interests and regional stability.

Keywords

Defense Diplomacy, Indonesia-Türkiye Defense Cooperation, Regional Stability, Self-Reliant Industry, Defense Modernization

Diplomasiden Sanayiye: Endonezya - Türkiye Savunma İşbirliğinin Bölgesel İstikrara Uzun Dönemli Etkilerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Yetmiş yılı aşkın ilişkiler üzerine inşa edilen ikili iş birlikleri, 2010 savunma anlaşmasının ardından önemli bir büyüme yaşadı. Endonezya ve Türkiye arasındaki iş birliği, stratejik iş birliğini endüstriyel yeniliklerle bütünleştirerek savunma diplomasisinde ilerici bir yöntemi örneklemektedir. Ortak jeopolitik çıkarlara dayanan bu iş birliği, Tiger Tank (KAPLAN MT/APC) ve insansız hava araçlarının geliştirilmesi de dahil olmak üzere Endonezya'nın savunma modernizasyonunda ve endüstriyel özyönetiminde kritik kilometre taşlarını temsil eden önemli ilerlemelere yol açmıştır. Bu makale, Endonezya-Türkiye savunma iş birliğinin Güneydoğu Asya'nın bölgesel istikrarı ve Endonezya'nın savunma sanayi büyümesi üzerindeki uzun vadeli etkilerini değerlendirmektedir. Bulgular, bu ortaklığın her iki ulus için de stratejik faydalar sağladığını ortaya koymaktadır. Endonezya için, gelişmiş savunma teknolojisine erişimi kolaylaştırarak, yerel savunma sanayisini güçlendiriyor ve ithalata olan bağımlılığı azaltıyor. Türkiye için, ortaklık, Güneydoğu Asya'da kilit bir savunma tedarikçisi olarak konumunu sağlamlaştırarak jeopolitik ve ekonomik etkisini genişletiyor. Bu çalışma, Endonezya-Türkiye ortaklığının Endonezya'nın savunma yeteneklerini geliştirme ve yoğunlaşan büyük güç rekabetleri ortasında dirençli bir bölgesel güvenlik mimarisine katkıda bulunmadaki ikili rolünü vurgulamaktadır. Betimleyici nitel bir metodoloji kullanan araştırma, resmi belgelerden, ikili anlaşmalardan, politika açıklamalarından, akademik literatürden ve medya raporlarından yararlanmaktadır. Bulgular, bu iş birliğinin Endonezya'nın teknolojik bağımsızlığını ilerlettiğini, jeopolitik konumunu güçlendirdiğini ve daha özerk bir dış politikayı desteklediğini göstermektedir. Karmaşık bir küresel jeopolitik manzara ortasında, ortaklık paylaşılan ulusal çıkarlar ve bölgesel istikrar için kritik bir temel görevi görmektedir.

Keywords

Savunma Diplomasisi, Endonezya-Türkiye Savunma İş Birliği, Güneydoğu Asya, Endüstriyel özyönetim, Savunma Sanayi Modernizasyonu

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