TÜRKIYE FACTOR IN INDONESIA STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
Keywords:
Middle Power, Strategic Autonomy, Foreign Policy, Defense Diplomacy, International Relations, Indonesia-Türkiye Bilateral Relations
Abstract
In recent years, the concept of strategic autonomy has gained significant attention as middle powers try to navigate the intensifying great-power competition in their regions. Türkiye, as one of the emerging middle powers, have significantly proved that the enhancement of strategic autonomy played a key role in navigating both regional and global tension. Against this backdrop, numerous studies have examined how Indonesia strategic partnership with Türkiye have intensified, especially in terms of defense diplomacy, however, limited attention has been paid to what the strategic rationale behind Indonesia’s preference for Türkiye and how it affect Indonesia’s overall strategic autonomy. This study contends that Indonesia’s deepening defense ties with Türkiye are not accidental but are a calculated strategy to enhance strategic autonomy. Indonesia chooses Türkiye not just for the arms transaction, but for the opportunity for capacity-building and access to diverse partners. By engaging with Türkiye a nation that has successfully developed its own indigenous defense industry Indonesia seeks to replicate this success, securing not just weapons, but the knowledge to build them, thereby insulating its national security from the volatility of Great Power politics. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, this study utilizes data from official documents, bilateral accords, policy statements, scholarly publications, and media sources.
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References
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Kutlay, M., & Öniş, Z. (2021). Turkish foreign policy in a post-western order: Strategic autonomy or new forms of dependence? International Affairs, 97(4), 1085–1104. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiab094
Laksmana, E. A. (n.d.). How Indonesia Manages Its Great Power Relations.
Liliansa, D. (n.d.). Research Fellow, Ocean Law & Policy Programme, NUS Centre for International Law.
Lippert, B., Von Ondarza, N., Perthes, V., & Stiftung Wissenschaft Und Politik. (2019). European strategic autonomy: Actors, issues, conflicts of interests. In SWP Research Paper 4/2019 (Version 1). Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, German Institute for International and Security Affairs. https://doi.org/10.18449/2019RP04
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Athirah, N. (2025). From Diplomacy to Industry: Evaluating the Long-Term Impacts of Indonesia – Türkiye Defense Cooperation on Regional Stability. Journal of Migration and Political Studies, 3(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.69510/mipos.1637396
Aydın-Düzgit, S., Kutlay, M., & Keyman, E. F. (2025). Strategic autonomy in Turkish foreign policy in an age of multipolarity: Lineages and contradictions of an idea. International Politics. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-024-00638-w
Boran, T. K., & Priamarizki, A. (n.d.). A Strategic Convergence Indonesia–Türkiye Relations.
Carr, A. (2013). Gravitating Towards Co-Operation: Middle Powers and the Structure of the International System. Australian Political Studies Association Annual Conference. https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/items/39898be1-bfd5-4282-a60d-2be751658806
Cheng-Chwee, K. (2008). The Essence of Hedging: Malaysia and Singapore´ s Response to a Rising China. Contemporary Southeast Asia, 30(2), 159–185. https://doi.org/10.1355/CS30-2A
Ciorciari, J. D., & Haacke, J. (2019). Hedging in international relations: An introduction. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 19(3), 367–374. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcz017
Cooper, A. F. (Ed.). (1997). Niche Diplomacy. Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-25902-1
Cooper, A. F., Higgott, R., & Nossal, K. R. (1993). Relocating middle powers: Australia and Canada in a changing world order. UBC Press.
Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: 48 adet KAAN Türkiye’de üretilerek Endonezya’ya ihraç edilecek. (2025, June 11). Anadolu Ajansı. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-48-adet-kaan-turkiyede-uretilerek-endonezyaya-ihrac-edilecek/3593934
Darmawan, A. R. (n.d.). Beyond Arms Race Concern: Indonesia and Submarine Passage in Archipelagic Waters.
Elisabeth, S. Y., Sumarlan, S., Prasetyo, T. B., & Hutauruk, J. (2021). INDONESIA’S DEFENSE DIPLOMACY IN JOINT PRODUCTION OF HARIMAU MEDIUM TANK BETWEEN INDONESIA-TURKEY. Jurnal Pertahanan: Media Informasi Ttg Kajian & Strategi Pertahanan Yang Mengedepankan Identity, Nasionalism & Integrity, 7(2), 243. https://doi.org/10.33172/jp.v7i2.1241
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Gindarsah, I., & Priamarizki, A. (2015). Politics, Security and Defense in Indonesia: The Pursuit of Strategic Autonomy. In C. B. Roberts, A. D. Habir, & L. C. Sebastian (Eds.), Indonesia’s Ascent (pp. 130–154). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137397416_7
Haripin, M., & Priamarizki, A. (n.d.). A Pragmatic Path: Indonesia’s Engagement with AUKUS.
Indonesia Inducts First Anka-S Drone from Turkey to Boost Air and Maritime Defence. (2025, September 27). Defence Security Asia. https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/indonesia-inducts-first-anka-s-drone-lanud-supadio-tai/
Indonesia replaces Chinese CH-4 UAVs with Turkish Anka-S UAVs. (2025, January 7). Turkiye Today. https://www.turkiyetoday.com/turkiye/indonesia-replaces-chinese-ch-4-uavs-with-turkish-anka-s-uavs-102149?s=1
Indonesia says Chinese vessel twice driven away after disrupting energy survey. (2024, October 24). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-says-chinese-vessel-twice-driven-away-after-disrupting-energy-survey-2024-10-24/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Indonesian Ambassador to Ankara, Purnama: KAAN is a milestone in defense industry cooperation. (2025, June 12). Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/endonezyanin-ankara-buyukelcisi-purnama-kaan-savunma-sanayi-isbirliginin-donum-noktalarindan/3594904
Joint Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia and President of the Republic of Türkiye, at the Türkiye Presidential Palace. (2025, April 10). Sekertaris Kabinet Republik Indonesia. https://setkab.go.id/en/joint-press-statement-of-president-of-the-republic-of-indonesia-and-president-of-the-republic-of-turkiye-at-the-turkiye-presidential-palace-turkiye-thursday-april-10-2025/
Jordaan, E. (2003). The concept of a middle power in international relations: Distinguishing between emerging and traditional middle powers. Politikon, 30(1), 165–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/0258934032000147282
“KAPLAN MT” Tankı ilk kez IDEF 2017’de. (2017, May 9). TRT Haber. https://www.trthaber.com/haber/turkiye/kaplan-mt-tanki-ilk-kez-idef-2017de-313446.html
KAPLAN ZPT Indo Defence 2025’te Yerini Aldı. (2025, June 12). FNSS. https://www.fnss.com.tr/tr/medya/haberler/kaplan-zpt-indo-defence-2025te-yerini-aldi-haber#:~:text=FNSS%2C%20Endonezya%20Ordusu%20i%C3%A7in%20PT,kullan%C4%B1c%C4%B1ya%202024%20y%C4%B1l%C4%B1nda%20teslim%20etti.
Keohane, R. O. (2012). 2 LILLIPUTIANS’ DILEMMAS Small States in International Politics. In C. Ingebritsen, I. Neumann, & S. Gstöhl (Eds.), Small States in International Relations (pp. 55–76). University of Washington Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780295802107-003
Keohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S. (2012). Power and interdependence (4. ed). Pearson.
Kutlay, M., & Öniş, Z. (2021). Turkish foreign policy in a post-western order: Strategic autonomy or new forms of dependence? International Affairs, 97(4), 1085–1104. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiab094
Laksmana, E. A. (n.d.). How Indonesia Manages Its Great Power Relations.
Liliansa, D. (n.d.). Research Fellow, Ocean Law & Policy Programme, NUS Centre for International Law.
Lippert, B., Von Ondarza, N., Perthes, V., & Stiftung Wissenschaft Und Politik. (2019). European strategic autonomy: Actors, issues, conflicts of interests. In SWP Research Paper 4/2019 (Version 1). Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, German Institute for International and Security Affairs. https://doi.org/10.18449/2019RP04
Lüthi, L. M. (2016). The Non-Aligned Movement and the Cold War, 1961–1973. Journal of Cold War Studies, 18(4), 98–147. https://doi.org/10.1162/JCWS_a_00682
Matthews, R., Maharani, C., Jupriyanto, & Wu, S. S. (2025). Indonesia’s defense acquisition strategy. Asian Security, 21(2), 125–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/14799855.2025.2527088
Nissen, C., & Larsen, J. (2021). STRATEGIC AUTONOMY: FROM MISCONCEIVED TO USEFUL CONCEPT. Danish Institute for International Studies.
Öniş, Z., & Kutlay, M. (2017). The dynamics of emerging middle-power influence in regional and global governance: The paradoxical case of Turkey. Australian Journal of International Affairs, 71(2), 164–183. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2016.1183586
Poling, G. B., & Natalegawa, A. (2025). Between Two Reefs: Indonesia’s Strategic Culture in the Twenty-First Century. Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Relations between Türkiye and Indonesia. (n.d.). Republic of Turkiye. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkiye-and-indonesia.en.mfa
Robby, H. M. F., & Boran, T. K. (2024). Mapping the Potential of the Strategic Partnerships Between Indonesia and Türkiye: Challenges and Opportunities. Insight Turkey, 26(Spring 2024), 255–278. https://doi.org/10.25253/99.2024262.13
Rose, G. (1998). Neoclassical Realism and Theories of Foreign Policy. World Politics, 51(1), 144–172. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043887100007814
Shin, S. (2016). South Korea’s elusive middlepowermanship: Regional or global player? The Pacific Review, 29(2), 187–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2015.1013494
Taliaferro, J. W. (2009). Neoclassical realism and resource extraction: State building for future war. In S. E. Lobell, N. M. Ripsman, & J. W. Taliaferro (Eds.), Neoclassical Realism, the State, and Foreign Policy (1st ed., pp. 194–226). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511811869.007
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti ve Endonezya Cumhuriyeti liderlerinin ortak beyanı. (2025, February 12). İletişim Başkanlığı. https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haberler/detay/turkiye-cumhuriyeti-ve-endonezya-cumhuriyeti-liderlerinin-ortak-beyani
Umar, A. R. M. (2023). The rise of the Asian middle powers: Indonesia’s conceptions of international order.
UNDANG-UNDANG REPUBLIK INDONESIA NOMOR 16 TAHUN 2012 TENTANG INDUSTRI PERTAHANAN. (n.d.). Retrieved December 10, 2025, from https://www.kemhan.go.id/itjen/wp-content/uploads/migrasi/peraturan/UU0162012.pdf
Vavasseur, X. (2025, July 26). Indonesia inks deal with Turkiye for two I-class Frigates. Naval News. https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/idef-2025/2025/07/indonesia-inks-deal-with-turkiye-for-two-i-class-frigates/
Waltz, K. N. (2010). Theory of international politics (Reiss). Waveland Press.
Yalçın, H. B. (n.d.). The Concept of “Middle Power” and the Recent Turkish Foreign Policy Activism.
Published
2026-02-27
How to Cite
Salman Ar Rifqi Nugraha. (2026). TÜRKIYE FACTOR IN INDONESIA STRATEGIC AUTONOMY. Journal of Social Political Sciences, 7(1), 36-51. https://doi.org/10.52166/jsps.v7i1.348
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Copyright (c) 2026 Salman Ar Rifqi Nugraha
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