Indonesia to discuss defense cooperation with Turkey

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto will pay a working visit to Turkey late Monday, said an official.

Subianto is scheduled to meet Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in Ankara on Tuesday, said Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, the minister's special staff for public communication.

"They will talk about the cooperation in defense industry and other defense sectors between the two countries," Simanjuntak told Anadolu Agency.

Subianto will also attend some events and meetings in Istanbul with Akar and other government officials.

Jakarta and Ankara have had strong relations in boosting defense industry.

Indonesian military products manufacturer PT Pindad and Turkish armored vehicle producer FNSS signed an agreement in 2015 to manufacture medium tank prototypes.

The design phase started in February 2016 and the tank was introduced to the public during the Indo Defense Exhibition in November of the same year.

The two countries had also collaborated in procurement of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

The Turkish Aerospace Industry had joined the bidding for the UAVs last year, but the results have not been decided yet.