RI, France Agree on Defense Technology Transfer, Expanding Market

The governments of Indonesia and France have agreed on cooperation in defense, security, and transfer of defense technology through a successful 2+2 meeting in Paris on Jul 21, involving Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto from Indonesia and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

Prabowo praised the meetings, considering them the best in decades. He also conveyed President Joko Widodo's keen interest in bolstering cooperation in the defense sector, encompassing technology transfer programs, weapons purchases, and soldier education and training. "We foresee excellent strategic cooperation in the future," he said.

The French government reciprocated and shared a similar sentiment, saying that the 2+2 meeting in Paris highlighted the common desires and interests shared between the two nations.

It acknowledged both countries’ strategic partnership that dates back to 2011 and an agreed-upon partnership action plan for the 2022-2027 period, France views this meeting as an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation across various domains.