TEMPO.CO, Bandung - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi hoped that the country’s defense industry would be among the top 50 global defense companies by 2025. He highlighted the rapid development of the industry when he visited state-owned arms manufacturer PT Pindad in Bandung City, West Java, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

According to a press release issued by the Palace, PT Pindad managed to increase its revenue from Rp25 trillion in 2022 to Rp27 trillion in 2023. The surge in revenue came from orders for a number of combat vehicles and ammunition, both domestically and internationally.

“There is a prospect, there is an opportunity that must be seized,” Jokowi said as quoted in the press release on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.

The President mentioned that the development of PT Pindad's production did not only include bullets and ammunition but also combat vehicles.

According to him, PT Pindad ranked 79th in the world defense companies in 2022. He estimated that PT Pindad would be ranked in the top 60 by 2024 and would reach the top 50 by 2025.

During his visit to Bandung, Jokowi was accompanied by Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Dudung Abdurachman, West Java Acting Governor Bey Machmudin, Bandung Acting Mayor Ema Sumarna, and PT Pindad President Director Abraham Mose.

Together with Prabowo, Jokowi tested the Ranops Maung combat vehicle manufactured by PT Pindad. Prabowo drove the vehicle while Jokowi sat beside him.

PT Pindad exhibited a number of its primary weapons system or Alustista products, including medium tanks, Pandur 8x8, weapons and ammunition, excavators, various agricultural machinery, and gas cylinders to meet Pertamina's needs.

DANIEL A. FAJRI | AHMAD FIKRI (BANDUNG)

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