16/06/2025
DEFENCE MINISTER ATTENDS INDO DEFENCE 2025 EXPO & FORUM IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA
…
Jakarta, Friday 12 June, 2025
Minister for Defence, Hon. Dr. Billy M. Joseph visited Jakarta at the invitation of the Indonesian Minister for Defence, His Excellency Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin for the Indo Defence 2025 Expo and Forum from the 11-14 June, 2025. The Minister is accompanied by Deputy Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Brigadier General Opa Lari Opa and staffs from the Department of Defence
The Indo Defence Expo and Forum is the largest biannual arms and defence technology sales exhibitions in Southeast Asia and is attended by Defence Industry representatives from around the world, showcasing the latest defence and security technology across the land, air and sea domains.
Minister Joseph was received in a distinctive warm welcome ceremony on arrival with a quarter guard of honour at the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and was accorded a fitting motorcade by the State Protocol Division of the Indonesian Government.
The expo provided a good opportunity for the Minister to explore the advanced technologies in the defence industry as the PNG government intends to modernise and build the capability and capacity of the PNGDF in all domains.
The Minister had specific discussions on rebuilding the sovereign air capability of the PNGDF, commencing with the rehabilitation and recovery of the two CASA aircrafts which have been grounded since 2015 due to faulty engine and gearbox. Through the commitment by the national government to rehabilitate and recover the aircrafts, PNGDF are in negotiation with the Indonesian Aerospace which have a special division in maintenance and development of aircrafts.
The rehabilitation and recovery project of these aircrafts is divided into two phases. Phase one is to prepare and certify the aircraft for ferry flight to Bandung, Indonesia before September 16 where the phase two part of the program can be performed. The second phase comprises a major calendar inspection servicing commonly referred to as the C-Check, aircraft components repairs and training for aircrew and technicians. The successful completion of phase two should allow the aircraft to be fully operationalized.
Minister Joseph met with the key players of this project including Indonesian Aerospace to reiterate and emphasize the importance of the project and seek their commitment to complete phase one of CASA P2-502 (CASA N235) to get the aircraft flying before September 16, 2025 to mark PNGs 50th Independence Anniversary. The project has been slow due to some unforeseen circumstances but are nearing the completion of phase one.
Minister Joseph further sought support from the Indonesian government for the project through his counterpart Minister, His Excellency Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin during their bilateral meeting. Minister Sjamsoeddin confirmed his government’s commitment to assist in the recovery project through the Defence Corporation Agreement (DCA) between the two nations signifying their friendly Defence ties with mutual respect of each other’s sovereignty.
The team concluded the meeting by visiting the Bandung Indonesia Aerospace facility where the PNGDF CASA aircrafts will undergo the second phase of the recovery project before getting fully operationalized.
📸: Defence Minister Dr. Billy Joseph receiving a quarter Guard of Honor at the Ministry of Defence, Jakarta, Indonesia
Hon. Billy M. Joseph, MP
Minister for Defence
Approved for Release
