Indonesia and the Philippines signs defense MOU on defense industry cooperation

The Harimau medium tank during demonstration to Philippine defense officials. Photo c/o Antara News.

The governments of Indonesia and the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support bilateral defense industrial cooperation between the two countries, which was held on 27 February 2020 as Philippine defense officials visited their counterparts in Jakarta, Indonesia.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MOD), the MOU will act as a legal framework for defense industry cooperation, technology transfer, and defense acquisitions between the two neighboring countries. 

The scope of cooperation includes supply, service, and maintenance, logistics, as well as research and development. 

It improves the chances of Indonesian defense products to be procured by the Philippines, as the deal also provides framework for Government-to-Government (G2G) engagements.

Indonesian defense companies like PT Pindad, PT LEN, PT PAL, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, and PT NTP are expected to benefit the most from this agreement, as these companies are competing for several defense acquisition projects of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), or are part of the supply chain supporting the competing Indonesian defense products.

The Philippine delegation also visited the facility of PT Pindad and was given a demonstration of some of their major products including the Harimau medium tank, and Anoa, Badak, and Komodo armored vehicles, and various small arms and ammunition. The Harimau and the Anoa are currently competing for the Light Tank and Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier requirements of the Philippine Army, respectively.


[1] Tempo Indonesia
[2] Jane’s Defence Industry
[3] The Jakarta Post