- PT Len Industri (Persero) and Thales have signed an agreement on 30th May 2024, to launch a Joint Venture (JV) that will take Indonesia’s defence capabilities to the next level by reinforcing joint local industrial activities in manufacturing, engineering and services.
- A Centre of Excellence, first of its kind in Indonesia, will be established to initially address the air surveillance requirements contributing to airspace protection capabilities of the Indonesian Air Force.
- The Joint Venture is structured from the onset to be an agile platform able to expand to various other topics in the future, including but not limited to, C4ISR, Military Satellites, Electronic Warfare, National Data Links, and National Combat Management Systems.
Two years on since the launch of DEFEND ID PT Len Industri (Persero) and Thales are proud to mark an important milestone on the 30th of May 2024, with the signing of the joint venture agreement, in the presence of Mr Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, State-Owned Entreprises (BUMN) Deputy Minister, Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO, Thales International and Fabien Penone, French Ambassador in Indonesia. The agreement was signed in Jakarta by Bobby Rasyidin, President Director for PT Len Industri (Persero) Holding DEFEND ID and by Nicolas Bouverot, Vice President Thales Asia.
Through this JV, PT LEN Industri (Persero) and Thales will kick-start a unique centre of excellence that will first address the Indonesian Air Force requirements in air operations, including collaboration on air surveillance radars and Command & Control (C2) systems. Thales will bring its deep expertise in radar technology, with transfer of knowledge. The JV will also cover Command and Control activities and the co-development of a national Air Operations Centre. Associated services, including Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities, will be carried out at PT Len’s site in Subang.
The signing of the JV Agreement is a step further for Thales in strengthening its local industrial footprint. By providing localised, engineering, maintenance and services with maximum operational availability, the JV will accelerate our response to end-user requirements and will strengthen proximity with the Indonesian forces. This joint venture aligns with the Indonesian government’s long-term “Made-in-Indonesia” strategy, thereby enhancing its sovereign capabilities. In addition, it will support DEFEND ID’s goal to increase the use of locally-manufactured components within the industry, enabling Indonesia to export its capabilities worldwide.
“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Thales and explore further collaboration on these new topics that will bring advanced technology and greater value to the Indonesian defence industry. Through this JV, we can bring PT LEN products to compete in the global market. In the future, PT LEN and Thales will develop defence products and solutions that meet the needs and expectations of our local end users” Bobby Rasyidin, President Director, PT Len Industry (Persero) Holding DEFEND ID.
“I am pleased that the partnership between PT LEN and Thales has grown from strength to strength, resulting in today’s important milestone that entrenches Thales’ role in the defence ecosystem of Indonesia. We are establishing our Indonesian roots and driving change through training and transfer of knowledge. This joint venture will bring the best of both worlds, from Thales’ technological expertise, to PT LEN’s acumen and knowledge of local defence needs and challenges of our Indonesian end users. I have no doubt that this will help Indonesia strengthen its indigenous capabilities in the defence sector and is the start of many fruitful collaboration opportunities to come in other domains.” Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO, Thales International
