Indo Defence 2014 Kicks Off

Indonesia's defence expo & forum, Indo-Defence kicked-off today at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) Kemayoran, showcasing the latest technologies from the aerospace, naval, land defence and security industries, runs from 5 - 8 November.

A total of 56 countries, including ASEAN, have sent official delegations to participate in the exhibition, while 23 countries are hosting pavilions. These countries, among others, include Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Rep, East Timor, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, speaking at the opening ceremony this morning, said the INDO DEFENCE 2014 exhibition is not only critical for defense purposes, but would prove vital to the nation's economy. The Indonesian Defence Industry has embraced the concept of cooperation in promoting growth in the sector, and the vice president stressed that INDO DEFENCE 2014 along with technological cooperation between the domestic defense industry and other countries would positively impact the nation's economy.

The Vice President further described INDO DEFENCE for purposes not of war, but for strengthening the nation in order to keep it at peace. "That a country has the military power not only to fight, but to be at peace, then there is really something in the defence forces of a nation," Kalla added.