Indonesia’s Navy is outdated and outgunned. So, in 2023, the government approved a 20% increase in military spending, a continuation of the 15-year Minimum Essential Force plan, meant to modernise the country’s military.

The additional military expenditure comes as Indonesia wants to reclaim its status as a powerful, maritime nation. At the same time, growing tensions in the South China Sea mean conflict could break out in Indonesia’s backyard. With a former general and Defence Minister soon to be president, will Prabowo Subianto turn Indonesia into Southeast Asia’s top naval power?

00:00 Introduction
01:07 Why a remote group of Indonesia islands became militarised
09:04 Does Indonesia need a bigger defense budget?
15:34 Navy’s fleet is below military buildup targets
17:11 Indonesia’s past maritime glory
20:06 Indonesia’s homegrown military might
24:50 What will change with Prabowo Subianto’s presidency?
34:38 Indonesia’s maritime history
38:13 The complexities of ASEAN-China relations
41:54 Conflict in Indonesia’s backyard?
44:51 What happens when a new president takes over?


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ABOUT THE SHOW: Insight investigates and analyses topical issues that impact Asia and the rest of the world.
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