During the Indo Defence Expo & Forum, the products presented by National Association of Ukrainian Defence Industry Enterprises (NAUDI) attracted significant attention from visitors. Among those who stopped by the booth were not only representatives of the companies and organisations but also military personnel from various countries
For instance, the Ukrainian defense products were reviewed by a general of the Indonesian Army’s mechanized forces, who praised their relevance in the context of Indonesia’s ongoing military modernization. Another notable visitor was General Waker-Uz-Zaman of the Bangladesh Army’s land forces.
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As NAUDI reported in their Facebook post, Bangladeshi and Indonesian military leadership visited the NAUDI booth at INDO DEFENCE 2025. Ukrainian defense innovations were presented by NAUDI’s executive director, Sergiy Goncharov, drawing interest from both countries. The showcased solutions were praised for their relevance to Indonesia’s military modernization. NAUDI’s participation is part of a broader strategy to expand Ukraine’s defense cooperation and influence in Southeast Asia.
While such visits are expected at one of the largest defense exhibitions in the region, they nonetheless highlight the higher appeal of certain exhibitors over others. This can be viewed as an indicator of the strong export potential of Ukrainian defense products.
Given the mention of Indonesia’s military modernization, it’s worth exploring what Ukraine could potentially offer. In recent years, Indonesia has signed multiple defense contracts — from acquiring fighter jets of two different generations to artillery systems.
It is important to note that Indonesian law requires the involvement of domestic defense industry in state procurement projects. If a contract is signed with a foreign company, it must include a certain level of localization or technology transfer.
Taking into account Indonesia’s acquisition of the French CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, it’s unlikely that Ukraine’s 155mm "Bohdana" howitzer would be sold there. Additionally, due to current circumstances, Ukraine is unlikely to participate in Indonesia’s naval procurement programs.
When it comes to armored vehicles, the prospects look more promising. Ukraine had previously offered its BTR-4 armored personnel carriers for the Indonesian Marine Corps, but the offer lost out to a Russian proposal. However, recent deliveries of additional BMP-3F and BT-3F vehicles, along with Indonesia’s active search for protection systems for these vehicles, suggest that a "second attempt" could be realistic.
Another area with strong potential is unmanned systems. At Indo Defence Expo & Forum, Ukrainian drones attracted special interest due to the success of Operation Spiderweb. Ukraine has emerged as one of the world’s leading centers of drone development, with battlefield-tested technologies that remain highly relevant. These include aerial drones, ground-based systems, and especially maritime drones.
Overall, Indonesia presents itself as a promising market. However, concerns remain about its ability to finance all its defense acquisitions. The country still has outstanding debt on the KF-21 fighter program with South Korea, has ordered Rafale fighters, and has signed a contract to acquire 48 Turkish KAAN jets.
Indonesia has also placed orders for frigates, submarines, and CAESAR howitzers from France, along with plans to acquire its own aircraft carrier — potentially by purchasing a decommissioned Italian vessel. This raises questions — even among defense manufacturers — about how Indonesia will fund all these commitments. It’s worth noting that some countries offer defense equipment under credit arrangements, something Ukraine is unlikely to be able to provide.
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