Indonesia Struggling to Stave Off China

The Straits Times, Dec 15, 2022, has produced an excellent article beginning:

“Indonesia struggles to build military that can stave off China”

“JAKARTA – Indonesia is confronting challenges overhauling its ageing military despite a spending splurge to face down threats that include a long-running territorial dispute with its biggest trading partner, China.

Incursions by Chinese vessels into waters around the Natuna Islands, between Malaysia and Indonesia, [see Map below] have put Jakarta on alert.

The [Indonesian] government recently relocated [the 1st Fleet Command] to Riau, near the islands, after starting construction on a submarine base last year. It also announced plans to spend US$125 billion (S$168 billion) on new weapons, despite a shrinking defence budget.

But expensive weapons can’t solve all of Indonesia’s defence challenges.

Its reliance on several foreign suppliers – including Russia – over the years means its existing hardware is burdened by interoperability problems, said Evan Laksmana, senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

Military efficiency is also hampered by a glut of new recruits and a rapid system of rotation that can see troops change roles after a matter of months, he said.”

[Amidst itemising Indonesia's “US$14 billion deal to purchase 36 new F-15 jets from Boeing” and “Indonesia had already placed an order for 42 Rafale fighter jets in a US$8.1 billion” the article indicates “Indonesia is in talks to buy two Scorpene-class attack submarines” and Indonesia might “like to expand ties with the Quad”.

About AUKUS “Australia is still planning to buy nuclear submarine technology from the US and Britain – a move that officials in Jakarta remain sharply critical of.”

In a similar situation with Australia’s trade reliance on China the article advises]

“Indonesia has to tread carefully given its economy depends on China: total trade between the two nations neared US$114 billion last year, according to IMF import data. The US was a distant second at US$37 billion.”

There is much more in this excellent Straits Times article. 

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Separately see the very close proximity, below, of Indonesia's Natuna Islands to China's "Nine-Dash Line" claim part explaining the territorial controversy.

Map courtesy UNCLOS via Radio Free Asia in 2020
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