Indonesia

Arms Sold:

Additional Arms:
Searcher UAV, UT30MK2 torret

Companies:

Additional Companies:
Israel Military Industries (IMI), Cognyte

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Indonesia

Introduction

Israel and Indonesia, although not having formal ties, maintain strong economic and military cooperation and trade. The two countries established different joint institutions in aim to develop economic partnership and keep strong ties around security, including Indonesian forces that trained in Israel. Israel exports a wide range of arms to Indonesia since the 1960s, including radars, combat jets and drones.

Israel – Indonesia Relations

Israel and Indonesia maintain no formal diplomatic ties, although they maintain quiet trade, tourism and security contacts. In 2008 the trade value between Indonesia and Israel reached $900 million with $300m coming from coal.[1]Foreign Entrepreneurs Reveal History of Indonesian Trade Relations

Trade between Jakarta and Tel Aviv have reportedly reached $550 million in 2021, 84 percent of which is Indonesian exports. While Indonesia mainly ships commodities, Israel’s exports are primarily high-tech and cyber software products.[2]The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations [3]Foreign Entrepreneurs Reveal History of Indonesian Trade Relations

In addition, the two countries have also established organizations, albeit unofficial, that aim to bolster ties. The Indonesia-Israel Public Affairs Committee (IIPAC) was created in 2002. IIPAC has around 4,450 members. It has also led to the creation of the Indonesian Business Lobby, which aims to facilitate Israeli investment in the country.[4]The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations To facilitate the growing partnership, the Israel-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce was established in Tel Aviv in 2009.[5]Business With Indonesia Made Easier– Israel-Indonesia CoC This organization is a subsidiary of the Israel-Asia Chamber of Commerce and aims to strengthen the Indonesia-Israel economic partnership despite the absence of diplomatic offices in both countries.[6]The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations

In 2008, the Indonesian government signed a USD $200,000 worth agreement with Israel’s national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) and the American-Israel Joint Distribution Committee to provide medical training to paramedics in Indonesia.[7]The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations[8]Representatives from Indonesia, Israel sign medical agreement

Regarding official visits, Shimon Peres traveled to Indonesia in the year 2000 as minister of regional cooperation. Several Indonesian delegations have also made their way to Israel. In 2013, for example, a group of high-ranking Indonesian delegations made a secret visit to the Knesset, and in 2015 Indonesia also attended Israel’s Homeland Security convention held in Tel Aviv.[9]The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations

In 2019 a delegation from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce travelled to Israel to discuss the establishment of trade relations and cooperation between the two countries.[10]Indonesian delegation visits Israel for trade and cooperation 23 Indonesian doctors took part in a two-week long casualty training.[11]Indonesian doctors receive casualty training in Israel

In 2022 an Indonesian politician, a candidate for the position of governor of the Indonesian province of West Papua, visited illegal Israeli settlements.[12]Indonesia politician visits Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank: Report

Military Relations

Military and intelligence ties were opened through unofficial channels in 1968. In 1971 counter-battery radars for accurate artillery fire were bought by the Indonesian military from the Israel Military Industries (IMI). In March 1974, a team of 27 officers and 90 soldiers from the Indonesian Army were sent to study a 2-month course to Israel on artillery radar and land surveillance, as well as ELINT and SIGINT from the Israeli Army. In January 1975, the Indonesian Navy and Indonesian Air Force sent a 60-man team to Israel to learn special insertion and covert operations from Shayetet 13 and the Israeli Navy. The result was the establishment of a Special Forces Training School to train small units of the Kopassus in airborne and seaborne insertion, in November 1975. In August 1976, Indonesian and Israeli Chiefs of Air Staff met during a supposedly coincidental visit to Tehran to discuss the Indonesian procurement of 35 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter aircraft from Israel, which were ultimately delivered in 1981-82.[13]SIPRI- ARMS FLOWS TO SOUTH EAST ASIA

In 2006 Indonesia made a $6m deal with the Philippine company Kital for the delivery of four Israeli Searcher-II drones. Indonesia planned to use the drones for surveillance of the Indonesian archipelago and Malacca Straits.[14]Indonesia buys Israeli UAVs despite protests Although there is no specific information about the number of riot-vehicles purchased by Indonesia from the Israeli company Beit Alfa Technologies, there are existing reports about the vehicles being used by Indonesian forces.[15]Using Palestinians as free way to test new weapons of people control[16]Beit Alpha Technologies (B.A.T)- WhoProfits[17]A new model for dispersing demonstrations

In 2021, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) arms imports from Israel included three Harmonized System (HS) codes: one that covers artillery weapons (such as rifles, mortars and howitzer guns), one that covers spare parts and accessories for revolvers and pistols, and one that covers spare parts and accesscories for revolvers and heading guns.[18]List of Israeli Weapons Imported by Indonesia

In November 2021 Israeli officials, National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata and the charge d’affairs at the embassy in Manama, Itay Tagner, were documented meeting the Indonesian Defense Minister at an international event in Bahrain.[19]Israeli official meets with Indonesian defense minister in Bahrain

Indonesia, along with 25 other nations including Israel, took part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, the world’s largest maritime exercise hosted by the US Third Fleet off the coast of Hawaii and Southern California.[20]Israel taking part in RIMPAC 2022, world’s largest maritime exercise

Cybersecurity

  • Cellebrite: In 2019 Cellebrite participated in the Annual Indonesia Security Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.[21]2nd Annual Indonesia Security Summit Indonesia’s leading company in the field of digital forensics, Bounga Solusi Informatika, is an official provider of UFED devices in Indonesia.[22]Bounga Cellebrite UFED Touch2 In 2019, CNN reported that Indonesian Police is using Cellebrite’s technology to extract data from people accused in hate speech. It was also reportedly used to extract data from Jumhur Hidayat an Indonesian activist.[23]Get to know Cellebrite, the Police Software that Siphons Jumhur In 2020, Haaretz reported that Indonesia employed Cellebrite’s technology to stifle political dissent and to enforce controversial “modesty” laws.[24]Hacking Grindr? Israel’s Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Indonesia
  • NSO Group: In September 2022, it was reported that senior Indonesian government and military officials were targeted with a spyware called “Forced Entry” by NSO Group. More than dozen officials were targeted, including Indonesia’s Chief Economy Minister, several high-ranking military personnel, two diplomats, and advisers in the defense and foreign affairs ministries.[25]Israeli spyware said used to hack senior Indonesian officials last year In 2019 hacking attempts were committed against activists in Indonesia. The device that was used is said to be Pegasus by the Israeli firm NSO Group Technologies.[26]Tracing Pegasus, a Spyware Allegedly Used In Indonesia According to the Director of the human rights organization LOKATARU it is highly possible that the government is keeping constant tabs on activists. The use of Pegasus was confirmed by two House Commission I members: PDIP member Muara Sakti Simbolon and Democrat Party legislator Sjarifuddin Hasan.[27]Tracing Pegasus, a Spyware Allegedly Used In Indonesia
  • Cognyte: In February 2022, Intelligence Online reported that the Israeli group Cognyte were awarded a contract by the Indonesian Intelligence Services.[28]Ukraine’s Infozahyst to assist Cognyte on Indonesian interceptions contract
  • Corsight AI: In 2021 Corsight AI announced it will be expanding businness in key regions in Asia including Indonesia.[29]Leading facial recognition technology provider Corsight AI announces expansion into the Asia Pacific region. In May 2021 Corsight AI has partnered with Netpoleon, a Value-Added Distributor (VAD) of Network and Cyber Security products headquartered in Singapore, to make facial recognition technology more accessible across the Asia region, including Indonesia.[30]Corsight reaches facial recognition value-added distribution deal for Asia
  • BriefCam: BriefCam’s products are in use by the Indonesian National Police, according to an official company document.[31]BriefCam Presentation : Solution Overview – BriefCam at Work in Safe Cities

 

Usage of Israeli Arms

UT30 MK2 unmanned turret – in use by Indonesian Army

Aerostar TUAV – in use by Indonesian Air Force: Skadron Udara 51.

Pegasus – was reportedly being used by the government against activists.

UFED – Haaretz reported that Indonesia employed Cellebrite’s technology to stifle political dissent and to enforce controversial “modesty” laws.[32]Hacking Grindr? Israel’s Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Indonesia

Apache Aviator Integrated Helmet – In use on Indonesian AH-64E Apache Helicopters of the Indonesian Government.[33]Army awards $13.2 million contract to Elbit to provide Apache targeting helmets to Indonesia

Human Rights Violations

The Indonesian Mass Killings of 1965

On 1 October 1965 an alleged coup attempt took place in Jakarta, Indonesia. A small group of militants military tried to seize power and six army generals were killed. What precisely happened and who was really responsible has never been established. General Suharto crushed the possible coup attempt within days and blamed the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) for masterminding the coup attempt.  A nationwide campaign of human rights violations was carried out against all those considered members of the PKI and suspected sympathizers. According to different estimates, the number of victims may well have reached half a million deaths. Killings, arrests, torture, and disappearances lasted for several years; arbitrary detention and forced labor for more than ten years. Discrimination lasts until today, fifty years later.[34]Yale Genocide Studies Program Case Studies: Documenting Violence in Indonesia

Today

Human rights issues included reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings by government security forces; torture by police; arbitrary detention by the government; harsh and life-threatening conditions in prisons and detention centers; political prisoners; censorship, including laws addressing treason, blasphemy, defamation, and decency, site blocking, and criminal libel; corruption and attempts by government elements to undermine efforts to prosecute corrupt officials; criminalization of same-sex sexual activities at the local level and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons; and forced or compulsory labor.Indonesia 2018 Human Rights Report))

In 2019 more than 50 people died in Indonesia in demonstrations around the country and 6,100 cases of people that faced prosecution for expressing their opinion in public. In terms of civil rights violations, 53 percent of those cases were violations of freedom of expression and 32 percent were violations of the freedom of assembly.[35]Civil rights violations on the up in Indonesia

In the past 12 years more than 2,400 cases of religious freedom violations were documented by the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace.[36]When it comes to violations of freedom, police are no better than FPI, study says

References
1 Foreign Entrepreneurs Reveal History of Indonesian Trade Relations
2 The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations
3 Foreign Entrepreneurs Reveal History of Indonesian Trade Relations
4 The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations
5 Business With Indonesia Made Easier– Israel-Indonesia CoC
6 The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations
7 The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations
8 Representatives from Indonesia, Israel sign medical agreement
9 The Quiet Growth in Indonesia-Israel Relations
10 Indonesian delegation visits Israel for trade and cooperation
11 Indonesian doctors receive casualty training in Israel
12 Indonesia politician visits Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank: Report
13 SIPRI- ARMS FLOWS TO SOUTH EAST ASIA
14 Indonesia buys Israeli UAVs despite protests
15 Using Palestinians as free way to test new weapons of people control
16 Beit Alpha Technologies (B.A.T)- WhoProfits
17 A new model for dispersing demonstrations
18 List of Israeli Weapons Imported by Indonesia
19 Israeli official meets with Indonesian defense minister in Bahrain
20 Israel taking part in RIMPAC 2022, world’s largest maritime exercise
21 2nd Annual Indonesia Security Summit
22 Bounga Cellebrite UFED Touch2
23 Get to know Cellebrite, the Police Software that Siphons Jumhur
24 Hacking Grindr? Israel’s Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Indonesia
25 Israeli spyware said used to hack senior Indonesian officials last year
26 Tracing Pegasus, a Spyware Allegedly Used In Indonesia
27 Tracing Pegasus, a Spyware Allegedly Used In Indonesia
28 Ukraine’s Infozahyst to assist Cognyte on Indonesian interceptions contract
29 Leading facial recognition technology provider Corsight AI announces expansion into the Asia Pacific region
30 Corsight reaches facial recognition value-added distribution deal for Asia
31 BriefCam Presentation : Solution Overview – BriefCam at Work in Safe Cities
32 Hacking Grindr? Israel’s Cellebrite Sold Phone-hacking Tech to Indonesia
33 Army awards $13.2 million contract to Elbit to provide Apache targeting helmets to Indonesia
34 Yale Genocide Studies Program Case Studies: Documenting Violence in Indonesia
35 Civil rights violations on the up in Indonesia
36 When it comes to violations of freedom, police are no better than FPI, study says