Saudi Arabia and Indonesia on Thursday signed the first defense cooperation agreement (DCA) covering training and education, counter-terrorism efforts and the defense industry.
The DCA was signed by Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Salman bin Sultan Abdul Aziz and his host Lt. Gen. (ret.) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Defense Ministry (photo).
After the signing, Sjafrie told reporters the DCA was the first signed since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950. It is also the first that Indonesia has signed with a Middle Eastern country.
He said both countries agreed that terrorism affected nations across the globe. The Deputy Defense Ministers also agreed that terrorism should not be linked to any ideology, in particular to Islam. Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have suffered from numerous attacks linked to certain Islamist groups.
Both countries agreed to cooperate in capacity building to increase professionalism by opening opportunities for joint exercises. “We have agreed to fight terrorism by holding joint exercises (that involve) members of both countries’ Special Forces,” Sjafrie added.
Sjafrie presented Salman with an SS2-V1 assault rifle made by state-owned arms maker PT Pindad before the guest visited the headquarters of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) in Cijantung, East Jakarta, and watched Kopassus operatives showcasing their skills.
Prince Salman, who served at the Royal Saudi Air Defense, shot a submachine gun and a hand gun at the Kopassus shooting range. He also observed a number of Anoa Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) and a Komodo tactical vehicle produced by PT Pindad in Bandung.
Sjafrie said that Indonesia had offered a joint investment, focusing on the Anoa platform, which may suit Saudi needs in the defense industry. “We, for example, would install an air-conditioning unit in the Anoa because it is very hot there, reaching as high as 48 Celsius. We have done this for Anoa APCs deployed in Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia will be a lot hotter.”
Before returning home via Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta, Salman observed 2 helicopters and 2 transportation airplanes, which are assembled and produced by state-owned PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI).
Sjafrie said that the Saudi side had requested detailed specifications of weapon systems made by Indonesia to be assessed and matched with the Kingdom’s needs and geographical conditions.
“The assessment is at the observation phase. Today’s visit was an introduction to the Indonesian defense industry’s capability. We hope there will be follow up meetings in the future,” he concluded.
