Thailand Proposes Supplying 36 Armored Vehicles to Indonesia

Thailand Proposes Armored Vehicle Supply to Indonesia

Prime Minister Anutin stated that the AWAVs are currently in active service with the Royal Thai Marine Corps and are well suited to the operational requirements of Indonesia. As part of a broader push to expand defense industry cooperation, Anutin also invited Indonesia to participate in a defense and security exhibition scheduled for November 2027 and welcomed its involvement in the third bilateral security dialogue.

Strengthening Defense and Security Ties

The proposal for armored vehicles accompanies a wider effort to deepen military relations. Prime Minister Anutin urged that the armed forces of both nations continue expanding intelligence sharing, maritime security cooperation and joint military exercises.

In a separate meeting on Tuesday, August 4, Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Thai Defense Minister Adul Boonthumjaroen held a closed-door bilateral session at the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Building to discuss enhanced strategic cooperation in the defense sector. During this visit, Minister Sjafrie revealed plans for a joint exercise involving special forces from both Indonesia and Thailand.

Beyond military hardware, President Prabowo confirmed that the two nations will strengthen joint actions to protect their citizens from emerging security threats, including online scams and human trafficking.

Agricultural and Trade Agreements

The strategic partnership extends into food security and trade. Thailand has offered to serve as a reliable supplier of premium rice to Indonesia and encouraged the import of Thai farming equipment, dairy products, meat and agricultural products.

In exchange, Prime Minister Anutin announced that Thailand is prepared to significantly increase its annual imports of Indonesian urea fertilizer, raising the volume from approximately 60,000 metric tons to several hundred thousand metric tons. President Prabowo noted that the two countries have agreed to deepen cooperation in:

• Supply chain resilience
• Logistics and food processing
• Agricultural technology

Additionally, Thailand has submitted a draft framework to Indonesia to finalize a bilateral agreement aimed at combating illegal fishing.

Diplomatic and Regional Cooperation

The meeting between the two leaders marked the second consultation since the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in May 2025. The leaders witnessed the exchange of an education memorandum of understanding and an action plan for the Thailand–Indonesia strategic partnership.

The discussions also touched upon regional stability and economic integration:

• OECD Membership: Anutin proposed that Indonesia and Thailand coordinate efforts as both seek membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
• Myanmar: President Prabowo praised Thailand’s role in facilitating Myanmar’s engagement with ASEAN via informal talks and affirmed Indonesia’s readiness to support a peaceful resolution under the Five-Point Consensus.
• Tourism: The Tourism Authority of Thailand and TransNusa signed a memorandum of understanding for direct flight services between Phuket–Bali and Bangkok–Jakarta.

President Prabowo emphasized that the two nations, as founding members of ASEAN, share a responsibility to promote regional security and prosperity. He noted that their similar economic structures and shared key commodities, such as tin and rubber, provide a solid foundation for further enhancing relations.