MoU Signed in Doha
Indonesia has officially joined Project Badr, a four-nation defense industry cooperation alongside Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a Quadrilateral Meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday (10/21/2026). Indonesia was represented by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia for Logistics, Defense Industry, and Technology, Air Marshal TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) Yusuf Jauhari. Also signing were Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler alongside President of the Turkish Defense Industry Agency Haluk Görgün, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as well as Federal Defense Minister of Pakistan Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Three Pillars of Cooperation
The memorandum governs three main areas of cooperation. First, research and development (R&D) and technology transfer to foster cutting-edge defense technology innovations by combining the expertise of the four countries. Second, industrial and manufacturing collaboration to unlock investment opportunities and joint production of resilient and competitive defense equipment (alutsista). Third, human resource development to enhance the capacity and capabilities of defense industry personnel. All participating nations agreed that this partnership serves as a crucial milestone in strengthening national capabilities across various vital sectors, including technology transfer, financing, engineering, and global supply chain sovereignty. The collaboration is also geared toward sustainability and mutually beneficial defense industry investment plans.
Seen as Strengthening Partner Diversification
According to the Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vahd Nabyl, in a press briefing in Jakarta on Thursday (10/22/2026), Indonesia's accession to Project Badr is not merely a diplomatic formality. 'Naturally, the priority is that we want to boost national capabilities and partner with countries considered qualified,' he stated. An International Relations lecturer at Universitas Al Azhar Indonesia, Pizaro Gozali Idrus, viewed this collaboration positively for the defense independence of Muslim-majority nations. According to him, it is essential for Indonesia to reduce its dependence on traditional arms suppliers such as the United States. 'Indonesia needs more alternatives so as not to depend on just one or two countries,' he told Indonesia Defense Magazine on Friday (10/23). Similar backing came from Commission I of the DPR (Indonesian House of Representatives). Commission I member Oleh Soleh expressed full support for Project Badr and regarded Indonesia's collaboration with Qatar, Turkey, and Pakistan as a major opportunity to bolster the national defense industry while enhancing the defense capabilities of each country.
Follow-Up Agenda and Meaning of the Name
In his remarks, Yusuf Jauhari expressed appreciation to the Government of Qatar for bringing the four nations together in this cooperation. He affirmed that the signing of the MoU represents 'a manifestation of shared determination to build a strategic partnership grounded in mutual trust, equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit.' As a concrete step, the parties agreed to convene regular Defence Industry Meetings. Following the initial three months of implementation, this forum will also open avenues to explore further defense cooperation with other friendly nations. The name Badr itself means 'full moon' in Arabic, conceived as a long-term cooperation platform to foster synergy across various strategic defense areas.
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