Highlighting Geopolitical Situation, Prabowo: Defence is Key to National Stability

President Prabowo Subianto has asserted the importance of strengthening national defence as the key to maintaining national stability and sovereignty, particularly when faced with a global geopolitical situation fraught with uncertainty. This was stated by Prabowo after officially receiving an addition of strategic main weapons systems (alutsista) for the Indonesian Air Force at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, on Monday, 18 May 2026.

Indonesia has received six Dassault Rafale fighter jets, four Dassault Falcon 8X VIP transport aircraft, one Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft, as well as modern weaponry systems including Meteor missiles and Hammer smart weapons.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have just officially received the addition of weaponry systems for the air force,” said Prabowo. This addition of military hardware is part of the national defence modernisation programme initiated by Prabowo during his tenure as Minister of Defence in the previous administration.

Prabov stated that this enhancement of military assets represents a significant milestone in strengthening national defence capabilities. He noted that Indonesia must continuously increase its defence strength to serve as a deterrent against various potential threats.

“I believe this is one of the milestones in increasing our strength. We must continue to enhance our defence capabilities as a deterrent. We have no interests other than protecting our own territory,” he emphasised.

Prabowo also highlighted the current dynamics of global geopolitics, which are filled with uncertainty. Consequently, he believes that defence is a primary requirement for maintaining stability and guaranteeing national sovereignty.

“However, we see that the world’s geopolitical condition is full of uncertainty, and we know that defence is the primary requirement for stability. The guarantee that we can remain sovereign,” said Prabowo.

Moving forward, the government will continue to build and strengthen national defence capabilities to secure Indonesia’s airspace, maritime, and land territories.

“In the future, we will continue to build our strength. We want to secure our airspace, our maritime territory, and certainly our land territory,” he added. The arrival of the Rafale jets will enhance Indonesia’s air combat capabilities, both in air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, while the Falcon 8X will support strategic mobility and surveillance missions.