Indonesia Defence Ministry Says Photo with Israeli Elbit at UK Airshow Was a Visit, Not a Deal

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence clarified that a photograph showing Lieutenant General Rui FGP Duarte standing in front of an Elbit Systems booth at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom does not indicate any agreement or cooperation with the Israeli defence firm. The picture, released on the ministry’s official social‑media channels, sparked public controversy over alleged ties with the Israeli company.

Spokesperson Brigadier General Rico Ricardo explained that the ministry’s participation in the airshow was purely informational, allowing Indonesian officials to visit various defence exhibitors to learn about the latest technologies. He stressed that any procurement or partnership must follow formal government procedures, align with Indonesia’s national interests and foreign‑policy stance, and cannot be concluded by simply visiting a booth. Consequently, no binding contract with Elbit Systems exists.

The ministry reiterated that it cannot enter agreements with foreign entities that conflict with Indonesia’s foreign‑policy direction, and that the documented visit was part of a broader effort to gather defence‑industry intelligence, not a commitment to acquire specific systems.