India, Indonesia Strengthen Defence Collaboration

India and Indonesia pledged enhanced defense cooperation, emphasizing maritime security and military equipment production. They discussed expanding bilateral ties in defense industry, multilateral cooperation, and research. The officials also visited DRDO headquarters, defense facilities, and industry partners to explore joint production opportunities.

India and Indonesia on Friday vowed to expand overall bilateral defence ties, especially in areas maritime security and industrial engagement for production of military equipment.

Various aspects of defence and strategic relations between the two countries figured at the seventh India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting that took place in Delhi.

The defence ministry said both sides expressed satisfaction at the expanding scope of defence cooperation.

''The progress made on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives deliberated in meetings of working groups on defence cooperation and defence industries cooperation was also reviewed by the co-chairs,'' it said.

The meeting was co-chaired by defence secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Indonesian counterpart Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto.

''The dignitaries identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration especially in the field of defence industry ties, maritime security and multilateral cooperation,'' the ministry said in a statement.

In the last couple of days, Taufanto also visited the headquarters of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Delhi as well as TATA Advanced Systems and L&T Defence facilities in Pune.

He also held deliberations with other Indian defence industry partners like Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and discussed ways to enhance defence industrial capabilities by cooperation in research & joint production.

He also called on the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan.

The Indonesian official is on a visit to India from May 2 to 4.