Len ready to supply defence equipment components from mineral downstreaming

State-owned enterprise PT Len Industri (Persero) is concretely beginning to utilise the results of domestic critical mineral downstreaming to produce and supply various high-value-added components for primary weapon systems (alutsista) and strategic defence technology. Len Industri President Director Joga Dharma Setiawan stated in Bandung, West Java, on Friday that this step was reinforced through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Advanced Materials (Critical Minerals Downstreaming) Cooperation between Len Industri, MIND ID, PT Krakatau Steel, and PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional (Perminas). The synergy among the four state-owned enterprises focuses on downstreaming that no longer merely stops at processing raw commodities, but is directly targeted at developing advanced materials to supply the tactical manufacturing industry. “Indonesia possesses vast mineral resources. The next challenge is to ensure these minerals do not stop as commodities, but can be processed into advanced materials that produce high-value technological products,” said Joga Dharma Setiawan. As the parent company of the Defence Industry Holding Defend ID, Len Industri is leveraging this advanced materials ecosystem to support the production line of sophisticated defence equipment. Several national strategic technology products now based on advanced materials include the Combat Management System (CMS), Multimission Radar, Ground Control Station (GCS) & AUTACS, Night Vision Goggle (NVG), Laser Point, and the SPRINT electric tactical vehicle. Joga emphasised that the success of the national downstreaming programme should now be measured by the domestic capability to produce technological products that have a direct impact on the economy and national sovereignty. Therefore, strengthening this ecosystem requires integrated synergy from upstream mineral management, research and innovation, to downstream manufacturing processes. In the future, this defence technology development will also target the civilian sector through the application of dual-use technology. “This is where collaboration between the government, industry, universities, and research institutions is key to building a strong and sustainable advanced materials ecosystem,” Joga added.