International relations refers to interactions between countries in the world, in this case covering various aspects, including diplomacy, trade and defense and security. States interact through treaties, conflicts, cooperation and international organizations to deal with common problems as well as promote global peace. Defense and security cooperation between countries at the international level is essential to maintain global stability and address common threats.
Through this cooperation, countries seek to enhance mutual security, intelligence and coordinated responses to traditional security threats. This cooperation often involves bilateral or multilateral agreements. One tangible form of bilateral agreement is cooperation between Indonesia and SAAB, the Swedish Defense Company. This cooperation involves various areas, including defense system procurement, military training, and technology transfer.
The Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Sweden have established a long-standing cooperation. Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been established since 1952 and continue to develop over time. Indonesia and Sweden have many similarities in their foreign policy approaches, which of course is a strong enough basis or reason for both countries to continue to establish and improve their bilateral relations.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Sweden continue to develop bilateral relations, one of which is through the signing of cooperation agreements, especially in the defense sector. In 2015, investment was made in the manufacturing sector through cooperation between PT. Lundin Indonesia and SAAB Sweden. Then in early December 2016, Sweden officially visited the office of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia with a very strategic purpose. During the visit, Sweden offered its flagship fighter, the Gripen JAS-39, as part of efforts to boost cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of defense.
The following are some of the benefits obtained by Indonesia because it has carried out this cooperation with SAAB Sweden:
1. Increased mastery of technology
The part of the fighter aircraft to be assembled in Indonesia will not only have an impact on the country's defense sector, but also contribute significantly to improving the quality of Indonesia's human resources in engineering and technological engineering. This assembly process not only provides practical experience, but also encourages the development of technical expertise that can support the progress of the national defense industry. Thus, this cooperation not only impacts the military sector, but also plays an important role in strengthening Indonesian human resources in facing future technological challenges.
2. Wider job opportunities
With the completion of the manufacture of fighter aircraft carried out through assembly in Indonesia, it is estimated that it will require considerable participation from local human resources (HR). There will be at least 1,000 Indonesian experts in engineering and engineering who can later be involved in development projects based on the purchase of JAS-39 Gripen from SAAB Sweden. This certainly not only creates new jobs, but also provides opportunities for Indonesian experts to develop valuable skills and experience in the aerospace industry. Thus, this cooperation not only has a positive impact on the industrial sector, but also encourages economic growth through wider job creation.
3. Move technology and cooperation of the defense industry
Technology transfer and cooperation in the defense industry allow Indonesia to gain access to advanced technology, as well as enhance national military capabilities. By creating collaborations with partners such as SAAB Sweden, Indonesia can gain the transfer of knowledge and technology needed to build and update its defense systems.
