How Powerful is Indonesia? | Military Power 2024

Summary

Indonesia's military power has been showcased twice in history, first with its successful invasion of West Papua in 1960 and later during the 1980s-90s military revival. With a current ranking of 13th in the world, Indonesia has one of the most powerful militaries in Southeast Asia. The country maintains a robust army, a strong Navy (ranked 4th globally), and a competent Air Force. Despite not possessing nuclear weapons, Indonesia prioritizes defense and peace, emphasizing its military strength to safeguard its territories. Its military budget of $8.8 billion in 2023 supports its extensive capabilities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia's military power should not be underestimated, as it has proven its strength on the world stage, particularly during its conflicts with the Netherlands over West Papua in the 1960s.
• 😀 The Indonesian military underwent significant transformations in the 1980s and 1990s, including the revival of soldier training and the acquisition of advanced military equipment, such as F-16 fighter jets and warships from the Netherlands.
• 😀 Indonesia is currently ranked 13th in the world for military power, making it one of the strongest nations globally despite its history as a victim of colonialism and war.
• 😀 Indonesia’s military strength is measured by its nation's power index, which factors in military units, finances, logistics, and geography. Indonesia's power index score is 0.2221, reflecting its strong defense capabilities.
• 😀 In 2023, Indonesia spent $8.8 billion on its military, around 70% of its GDP, which demonstrates its serious investment in defense.
• 😀 The Indonesian military consists of approximately 400,000 personnel, with 598 tanks, 1,539 armored vehicles, and high-level assault rifles like the Pindad SSS 1 V1, which have been in use since 1991.
• 😀 The Indonesian Navy is one of the most powerful in the world, ranked 4th globally and 2nd in Asia. It boasts 243 active fleet units, including submarines, frigates, and corvettes.
• 😀 Indonesia’s Navy is continuing to strengthen, with plans to add 13 new ships, including submarines, enhancing its strategic defense capabilities.
• 😀 The Indonesian Air Force is ranked 29th globally with 254 active aircraft, including fighters, helicopters, and transport planes, providing a strong aerial defense force.
• 😀 While Indonesia does not possess nuclear weapons, it is committed to eliminating them, having ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, emphasizing its focus on peace and stability.

Q & A

What is the first major demonstration of Indonesia's military power?

The first major demonstration of Indonesia's military power was the successful invasion of West Irian (now West Papua) in 1960. President Sukarno ordered the military action against the Netherlands, which had refused to relinquish control of the territory after Indonesia gained independence.

What was the result of Indonesia's military action in West Irian?

After Indonesia's military action in West Irian, the Netherlands eventually agreed to leave the territory, recognizing Indonesia's strength and military capability.

What steps did Indonesia take between 1980 and 1988 to strengthen its military?

Between 1980 and 1988, Indonesia revitalized its military by heavily training soldiers under General MJF, and by acquiring military equipment, including six used Van Speijk frigates from the Netherlands and 10 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets.

How does Indonesia rank in terms of military power globally and in Southeast Asia?

Indonesia is ranked 13th in the world in terms of military power and is considered the most powerful military in Southeast Asia.

How is the nation's military power measured?

A nation's military power is measured by its Power Index, which takes into account factors such as military units, financial position, logistical capabilities, and geography. The lower the Power Index score, the stronger the nation's military.

What is Indonesia's Power Index and how does it compare to other global powers?

Indonesia has a Power Index of 0.2221, which is impressive given its global rank of 13th. The United States, ranked first, has a Power Index of 0.712, while other major powers like Russia, China, and India also have lower scores.

What is the military budget of Indonesia in 2023?

In 2023, Indonesia's military budget was $8.8 billion, which accounted for about 70% of its GDP. Over the years, Indonesia has spent approximately $165.93 billion on its military from 1974 to 2023.

How many military personnel does Indonesia have?

Indonesia has approximately 400,000 military personnel, which includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Indonesian Marine Corps.

What military weapons and equipment does Indonesia possess for land defense?

Indonesia's Army is equipped with 598 tanks and 1,539 armored vehicles for efficient mobilization of its 400,000 soldiers. The standard assault rifle used is the Pindad SS1 V1, which has been in service since 1991 and has been continuously updated.

How strong is Indonesia's Navy?

Indonesia's Navy is ranked 4th globally and 2nd in Asia. It has 243 active fleet units, including 4 submarines, 7 frigates, 25 corvettes, 168 offshore patrol vessels, and 30 amphibious assault ships, with additional ships planned.