Indonesia has signed a new Letter of Intent (LOI) with KNDS France to procure additional CAESAR 155mm artillery systems and related ammunition, strengthening its defense cooperation with France and further integrating local industry into the production process.
The agreement was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Jakarta and aims to expand on an already significant artillery partnership. Indonesia currently operates 56 CAESAR systems across three army battalions, making it the third-largest operator of the system worldwide and the largest in Asia.
The LOI outlines plans for increased industrial collaboration under the existing Indonesia–France Defence Cooperation Agreement. This includes local assembly, transfer of technology and know-how, and a strong focus on domestic maintenance and sustainment capabilities. A local workshop has already been established to enable in-country support and improve operational readiness.
The agreement also supports Indonesia’s strategic objectives of increasing defense self-sufficiency and building sovereign capabilities. French officials described the initiative as mutually beneficial, with long-term advantages for both countries’ defense industrial bases.
In addition to the CAESAR systems, Indonesia’s Marine Corps operates 20 French-made 105LG light towed guns.
