BOGOR: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a series of agreements on Wednesday to boost trade and defence ties between the Muslim-majority nations, including the delivery of 69 Turkish combat drones to Jakarta.
The Turkish leader was visiting Southeast Asia’s largest economy after travelling to Malaysia and before heading to Pakistan on a four-day tour of key allies in the Islamic world.
He was greeted at a presidential palace in Bogor, a city south of the capital Jakarta, by a traditional marching band, national anthems and schoolchildren waving flags.
“We are committed to increasing trade between the two countries, which is mutually beneficial,” Prabowo said after the talks.
“We also agree to increase joint production and cooperation in the defence industry.”
Prabowo said that would include joint training for soldiers and closer collaboration on counter-terrorism and intelligence.
“We have looked at further opportunities for collaboration in the defence sector,” Erdogan said.
Turkish manufacturer Baykar and Indonesian company Republikorp agreed on the delivery of 60 Turkish Bayraktar TB3 drones and nine Akinci medium-to-high altitude combat drones capable of carrying missiles, reported the Turkish national news agency Anadolu.
Akinci drones can carry a 1,500-kilogramme payload, according to Baykar’s website.
Over time, some parts will be built in Indonesia. – AFP
