Indo Defence 2025: KNDS signs partnership agreements

A Caesar 155 mm/52 calibre SPH displayed at Indo Defence 2012 in Jakarta. (Nexter Systems)

French defence manufacturer KNDS has signed weapons development and production agreements with the Indonesian government and local industry, the company has announced. The accords were announced at the Indo Defence 2025 show in Jakarta, which ends on 14 June.

One of the most prominent of the agreements is KNDS' letter of intent (LOI) with the government of Indonesia to support the supply of additional KNDS' 155 mm/52 calibre Caesar wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) to the Indonesian military. Others include agreements with PT Pindad covering the production of unspecified artillery and large-calibre ammunition; with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) to equip Indonesian helicopters with 20 mm cannons; and with PT Sentra Surya Ekajayais (SSE) to integrate counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capability with Indonesia's P2 Tiger armoured vehicle, which PT SSE is developing with French manufacturer Texelis.

KNDS also signed an agreement with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) research and development agency to explore “topics regarding land defence”, the company said.

KNDS said the various agreements are supported through bilateral government accords between France and Indonesia and are intended to support technology transfers and defence production in Indonesia as well as high levels of local content and localised maintenance.

According to KNDS, its LOI with Indonesia will enable localised production of Caesar and its 155 mm ammunition. “This LOI will enhance industrial co-operation between KNDS and Indonesia, allowing production to take place locally,” the company said. It added that it has previously supplied the Indonesian Army with 56 Caesar systems. According to Janes World Armies , the SPHs were procured in three batches in 2014, 2016, and 2017.

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