BLUF

The new missiles aren’t aimed at China. Instead, they reflect domestic priorities: protecting the planned capital in Borneo, managing West Papua concerns, and reinforcing overlapping claims with Malaysia. First Southeast Asian state with ballistic missiles.

Learning Outcomes

Strategic Awareness:  Explains how regional dynamics and domestic priorities shape defence planning beyond great-power competition.

Geopolitical Context:  Highlights Indonesia’s balancing of sovereignty, modernisation, and regional disputes with neighbouring states.

References