Indonesia seeks stronger economic, defense ties with Jordan as King Abdullah visits Jakarta

• Indonesia’s Pindad and Jordan’s Deep Element to develop drone tech, Indonesian defense minister says
• King Abdullah will meet with officials from Indonesian sovereign wealth fund Danantara on Saturday

JAKARTA: Indonesia is seeking to strengthen economic and defense ties with Jordan, as President Prabowo Subianto hosted King Abdullah in Jakarta on Friday.

King Abdullah is on a two-day visit to Indonesia as a part of his Asia tour, which included stops in Japan, Vietnam and Singapore, and will conclude in Pakistan.

He was personally welcomed by Prabowo at the Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta, before receiving a grand ceremony at the Merdeka Palace.

The two leaders then discussed developments in ties and opportunities for further cooperation, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said.

“Tomorrow, (King Abdullah) will hold a meeting with Danantara to discuss more intensive economic cooperation across various areas … especially in the phosphate sector,” he told reporters after the meeting, referring to the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund.

“In security and defense, Indonesia and Jordan have already conducted some joint training, and I think we will continue to step up our relations in this field.”

Indonesia and Jordan will be working to develop drone technology, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters following his meeting on Friday in Jakarta with Jordanian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Ahmed Al-Huneiti.

Sjamsoeddin said the cooperation will be between Indonesia’s state-owned defense manufacturer Pindad and Jordan’s defense company Deep Element, which specializes in high-tech security systems, without providing more details.

King Abdullah also awarded Prabowo the Order of the Renaissance during their meeting.

Also known as the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al-Nahda, the award is granted by Jordan for distinguished service at national, regional or international levels.

King Abdullah’s visit follows Prabowo’s trip to Jordan in April, which saw Indonesia and Jordan sign four preliminary agreements to increase cooperation in the defense, agriculture, religious affairs and education sectors.

“I know that in the discussions that we’re having tonight and tomorrow, there are many new opportunities to strengthen the bonds between Indonesia and Jordan,” King Abdullah said during his livestreamed meeting with Prabowo.

“And it will be successful,” he added.