Indonesia to Host Southeast Asia’s Largest Defense Industry Exhibition Next Week

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia is gearing up to host the Indo Defence 2022 Expo and Forum, with 59 countries have confirmed their participation in the event from Nov. 2-5 at the country’s capital Jakarta.

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia will organize the largest defense industry expo in Southeast Asia.

“In total, there will be 905 defense companies from 59 countries. The number will likely increase to 60 as we are still waiting for confirmation from one country,” Prabowo said on Thursday, Oct. 27.

He said 155 out of the 905 defense companies at the expo will be from Indonesia.

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The event will be held at three different venues in Jakarta: Jiexpo Kemayoran in Central Jakarta, Pondok Dayung Naval Base in North Jakarta, and the south apron of the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in East Jakarta.

A total of 21 ministerial-level officials, armed forces commanders, and chiefs of staff from various countries will attend the event, he said.

Under the theme “peace, prosperity, strong defense” the expo was initially planned in 2020. However, due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, it could only be held this year, the minister said.

The theme represents a message that peace and prosperity will be difficult to achieve without a strong defense, he added.

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“So, the defense must be accompanied by a strong defense. Defense is like insurance. It is difficult to have a good car without insurance in the modern world. So, we don't hope for an accident, but in reality, humans experience unpredictable things, and so do human civilizations and national history,” he said.

He further said that no single country intends to become embroiled in a war with another country, but in reality, a war can happen.

Source: State News Antara