Indonesia has entered a new era in its defense posture with the induction of the Turkish-made KHAN tactical ballistic missile system, marking the first time the nation possesses an indigenous tactical strike capability. Images published on August 1, 2025, by Sahabat Keris, a local defense observer group, confirmed the deployment of the KHAN ITBM-600 variant at Raipur A base in East Kalimantan, under the 18th Field Artillery Battalion.
The KHAN system, developed by Roketsan, offers a range of 280 kilometers, enabling precision strikes deep into potential threat zones. Mounted on a highly mobile Tatra 8×8 truck, the system’s rapid deployment capability makes it especially suitable for Indonesia’s archipelagic terrain. The missile itself weighs 2,500 kg, with a diameter of 610 mm, and is guided by an advanced hybrid navigation system incorporating GPS, GLONASS, and inertial sensors—ensuring accuracy in contested electronic environments.
This acquisition is a defining milestone in Indonesia’s military modernization strategy. Beyond its technical advantages, the KHAN missile significantly enhances Jakarta’s deterrence posture by introducing a credible, long-range precision-strike option. It allows the Indonesian Armed Forces to project power across key maritime corridors, reinforcing sovereignty over its extensive territory.
The KHAN ITBM-600 variant acquired by Indonesia is Roketsan’s most advanced export model, based on operational experience with the Turkish Armed Forces. Its arrival follows a 2022 bilateral agreement that includes not only system delivery but also potential cooperation in local production and defense technology transfer. Indonesia’s decision to procure this system reflects both its growing defense ties with Türkiye and a desire to enhance strategic autonomy amid shifting regional dynamics.
As tensions in Southeast Asia evolve, the operationalization of the KHAN system provides Jakarta with a powerful tool for conventional deterrence—without breaching its non-aligned foreign policy principles. The system enables responsive, independent action without relying on foreign basing or intervention.
