Defense is one of the strategic aspects of concern for countries in the international constellation, including Indonesia. Indonesia has national interests in the defense and security sector, especially in terms of protecting the territory, and citizens on the basis of perceived threats from within and outside the region. Therefore, the main weaponry system (alutsista) is needed to maintain stability and strengthen national defense to guard against threats from outside. So it can be said that the fundamental problem that drives Indonesia's defense diplomacy with Turkey in the field of defense equipment industry is the national interest of Indonesia in maintaining defense and security. Minimum Essential Force (MEF) is a form of Indonesia's national interest in the defense and security sector. MEF (Minimum Essential Force) is the minimum standard applied by Indonesia to maintain state sovereignty and strength. MEF is part of Indonesia's national defense policy and is a goal that must be achieved by the TNI (Indonesian National Army) to maintain the country's resilience and security.
One of the Indonesian government's efforts in realizing MEF is by cooperating with Turkey regarding the manufacture of defense equipment tanks. Turkey in the world defense industry is a new actor that has rapid development in its defense industry. The cooperation between Indonesia and Turkey in making tanks is seen as one way to achieve Indonesia's national interests in protecting the sovereignty and security of its citizens from various threats and to increase its military capabilities. This cooperation has succeeded in creating several important defense equipment (alutsista) such as the Tiger Tank.
With this cooperation, the Indonesian government hopes to further improve defense equipment capabilities, especially in terms of tank production and development, be able to make progress in the development of the defense industry and defense equipment independence, and be able to strengthen Indonesia's defense capabilities in protecting its national interests. Then the question arises from Indonesia's hopes, whether all these hopes are realized with the cooperation in making this Tiger Tank. This then inspires us to examine further what losses Indonesia has gained in this cooperation, as well as how competition occurs between actors in state institutions related to this defense cooperation issue.
Indonesia's losses in Tiger Tank cooperation can be seen from various factors, namely as follows:
1. No significant technology transfer. This is because FNSS allegedly carried out the tank manufacturing process in Turkey during the Tiger Tank manufacturing process. However, as the Indonesian representative, Pindad was assigned to design the complete tank when it was sent to Indonesia. Thus, there was no significant transfer of technology between PT Pindad and PT FNSS during the Tiger Tank manufacturing process.
2. Increase Indonesia's dependency on Turkey: This tank will only increase Indonesia's dependency on Turkey as there is no significant technology transfer and the entire manufacturing process is done in Turkey. In addition, Indonesia also does not have an adequate tank workshop in case of damage to the tank.
3. Expansion of the defense budget. The cost of manufacturing this medium tank is relatively expensive compared to the price of manufacturing medium tanks made in other countries, with a manufacturing cost of 150 to 300 billion rupiah per tank. In addition, the cooperation contract between PT Pindad and FNSS Turkey can only produce two types of medium tanks and the production is relatively low despite the contract value reaching 300 billion rupiah, which is considered to only increase the cost budget.
4. This cooperation might increase Turkey's dependence on technology. Indonesia does not need to cooperate with Turkey to improve its defense industry as the country does not yet have an independent defense industry. However, the cooperation might make Indonesia dependent on foreign technology.
5. Political risks may increase as a result of this cooperation. This defense cooperation may have an impact on national politics, such as changes in government policy and political instability.
To overcome the shortcomings of Tiger Tank manufacturing, Indonesia can strengthen cooperation with Turkey in terms of technology transfer. This can be done by increasing PT Pindad's involvement in the production process in Turkey, so that it can gain wider knowledge and skills in tank manufacturing. In addition, Indonesia can also strengthen defense technology research and development cooperation with Turkey, so that it can gain access to the latest technology in tank manufacturing.
Turkey's disadvantage in manufacturing the Tiger Tank was the lack of significant technology transfer to Indonesia. The production process of the tank was entirely carried out by PT FNSS in Turkey, and when the tank was imported to Indonesia, it was not yet in its complete form. As a result, PT Pindad as the Indonesian representative had to redesign the tank into a complete form, indicating a lack of significant technology transfer between PT Pindad and PT FNSS in the Tiger Tank production process.
