According to information published by Indonesian government on January 10, 2024, during a meeting with Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro Jr., Indonesian President Joko Widodo advocated for the Philippines to consider acquiring anti-submarine warfare aircraft from Indonesia. This proposal is seen as a strategic move to deepen defense cooperation between the two nations.
President Jokowi highlighted the longstanding defense relations between the two countries and suggested that the acquisition of Indonesian-made anti-submarine aircraft would be beneficial for the Philippine Navy. This proposal underscores Indonesia’s role as a significant defense partner in the region and its capabilities in defense manufacturing.
The meeting also touched upon other defense procurement areas, including shipbuilding, reflecting the evolving defense partnership between Indonesia and the Philippines. President Jokowi’s push for the Philippines to consider these aircraft aligns with broader regional security interests.
The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engined transport aircraft that was jointly developed by CASA of Spain and Indonesian manufacturer IPTN. It is operated as both a regional airliner and military transport; its primary military roles include air transport and aerial surveillance.