At G20 Summit, PT Dahana and RDM Sign Agreement to Build Energetic Material Facility in Indonesia
Selasa, 25 November 2025
Johannesburg (ANTARA) – PT Dahana has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global defense industry giant Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) to establish an energetic material production facility in Indonesia.
The signing ceremony, witnessed by Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas A.M. Djiwandono and Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Anindya Novyan Bakrie, took place during the Indonesia–Africa CEO Forum 2025 at the Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 21 November 2025.
A Milestone for Indonesia’s Defense Industry
PT Dahana’s President Director, Hary Irmawan, emphasized that the partnership marks an important milestone for Indonesia’s defense sector. He stated that the initiative directly addresses long-standing challenges to defense-industrial sovereignty, as Indonesia has been heavily dependent on foreign supply chains for energetic material raw components.
“High import dependence has weakened the competitiveness and autonomy of our defense systems. Through this collaboration with RDM, we are not merely building a factory—we are ensuring that sovereignty over strategic materials rests in the hands of our own nation,” Hary said.
Closing a Critical Gap in Defense Production
The MoU aims to provide a concrete solution to Indonesia’s lack of domestic energetic material production facilities. Energetic materials are essential components for manufacturing defense equipment for the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), and other agencies—especially as raw materials for Large Caliber Munitions (MKB) and various warheads. Without domestic production, Indonesia’s defense posture remains limited and exposed to supply vulnerabilities.
Dual-Use Capabilities: Defense and Economy
Beyond its military applications, the new facility will also serve dual-use functions. Besides strengthening national defense, domestically produced energetic materials will supply commercial explosives needed by Indonesia’s mining industry. This makes the project strategically significant, as it enhances national industrial capabilities while contributing to broader economic development.
Technology Transfer from South Africa
Under the cooperation scheme, RDM of South Africa will act as the technology provider and is committed to conducting a full transfer of technology to Indonesia.
The advanced production facility will be constructed at PT Dahana’s Energetic Material Center (EMC) in Subang, West Java—intended as the core hub for national self-sufficiency in explosive materials.
Hary noted that developing this facility reflects a commitment to sustainable defense-industrial growth. He stressed that mastering energetic material production technologies is essential to breaking Indonesia’s long-term reliance on imports.
“Our target is that with this factory, Indonesia will not only achieve self-sufficiency but also become competitive on the global defense industry stage. This is Dahana’s dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia through tangible defense-industrial independence,” Hary asserted.
Part of Indonesia’s Participation in the 2025 G20
The historic MoU signing took place as part of the Indonesia–Africa CEO Forum 2025, an integral agenda of the G20 Leaders Summit 2025. The Indonesian delegation was led by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming, accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartanto.
PT Dahana’s delegation also included Wildan Widarman, Erwin Cipta Mulyana, Anggaria Maharani, and Jodi Widjanarko, who oversaw the strategic collaborations between Indonesian and South African business leaders.
Strengthening Dahana’s Role as ASEAN’s Explosive Industry Leader
PT Dahana currently operates Nitroglycerin and Ammonium Nitrate plants and is developing a Propellant plant. The new energetic material facility is expected to further solidify Dahana’s position as Indonesia’s leading explosive manufacturer, with the most comprehensive energetic material capabilities in the ASEAN region.
PT Dahana menandatangani Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) strategis dengan raksasa industri pertahanan Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) untuk pembangunan ...
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