Indonesia is considering buying hi-tech policing equipment from China, setting out a shopping list for technology ranging from drones to tactical armoured vehicles at a police equipment trade show in Beijing.
The Indonesian National Police is particularly interested in counterterrorism equipment, including intelligence technology, tactical weapons, bomb disposal gear and special purpose vehicles, according to a list of requirements released at a forum held at the expo on Thursday.
Most of this equipment would be used to support high-intensity operations by the force’s Anti Terror Special Detachment 88 and the Mobile Brigade Corps, which combats separatists and insurgents.
The police are also looking to buy intelligence and surveillance equipment, such as intercept and tracking systems, thermal imaging reconnaissance drones and bomb disposal robots.
The force is also looking to buy tactical armoured vehicles, assault rifles and protective gear such as helmets and bulletproof vests, but the list stressed that Indonesia prioritised domestic procurement.
The two countries have stepped up their cooperation on law enforcement and security since Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited China in late 2024.
A month later, Beijing transferred advanced drug detection equipment to Indonesia’s National Narcotics Agency.
The two countries also stepped up their efforts to tackle telecoms fraud after a number of scam centres moved to Indonesia following a crackdown in other parts of Southeast Asia.
Dai Shizong, a legal adviser and translator for the Indonesian National Police, told the three-day event that Indonesia’s security needs had increased as the economy developed over the past two decades.
Dai said much of the equipment used by the Indonesian police had historically been supplied by Western companies.
He added that the police had already been testing Chinese equipment, although it might have been bought from third countries rather than directly from China.
“So, in terms of police equipment and technology transfer, some Chinese companies have already started making efforts,” Dai said.
“They are cooperating with suppliers to the [Indonesian] police headquarters. For example, there has already been some progress in the area of operational drones, including unmanned boats.
“Now some companies are starting to be involved in their operation, including some of our science and technology universities.”
“We hope through this expo, China and Indonesia can have more practical cooperation in police matters,” said Zhang Ying, director of Beijing Security and Protection Industry Association, which organised the event that featured only Chinese-made equipment.