Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto is sending two of his ministers to meet Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul later this week, as defense ties have grown closer following Jakarta’s major purchase of KAAN fighter jets.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Foreign Minister Sugiono are heading to Ankara for the first-ever bilateral “2+2” meeting slated for Friday local time. This format of talks will see the ministers engaging in discussions with their Turkish counterparts. As part of the trip, the duo plans to pay a courtesy call to Erdogan in Istanbul.

“Mr. Sugiono will extend President Prabowo’s invitation to the D-8 Summit in April,” Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Yvonne Mewengkang told a press briefing on Thursday.

For context, the D-8 unites Indonesia, Turkey, and seven other emerging economies, including Bangladesh, Malaysia, as well as Nigeria. This year, Indonesia is presiding over this group that aims to improve developing countries’ positions in the global economy. 

Yvonne revealed that Friday’s 2+2 talks would be the first item on the ministers’ schedule. The visit to Erdogan will take place the following day. Yvonne signaled that the 2+2 would discuss joint arms production, alluding to the KAAN deal. 

“We can’t provide the details of the 2+2 as of now. However, the defense industry will certainly be a topic, including joint production and venture,” the diplomat said.

Last year, Erdogan announced that Indonesia had pledged to acquire 48 KAAN fighter jets. The major defense deal did not come as a surprise, as Prabowo had been seeking to boost Indonesia’s airpower. The KAAN is a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The aircraft made its maiden flight in 2024. As of July 2025, the company has developed three prototypes, with two expected to fly later this year.

When Indonesia inked the purchase contract last July, the Defense Ministry announced that Indonesia “would not only acquire high-tech arms, but also a huge opportunity in enhancing the capacity of the domestic defense industry”.

“The local industrial base to be established in Indonesia is expected to be a tangible demonstration of a mutually beneficial partnership based on friendship,” the ministry said at the time. 

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