Indonesia Acquires Tactical Strike Capability for First Time with Arrival of Turkish KHAN Ballistic System.

The arrival of the KHAN ballistic missile system in Indonesia marks a major development in the country’s strategic deterrence posture. Deployed for the first time on Indonesian soil, this Turkish-designed system constitutes the first tactical ballistic missile capability of the Indonesian Armed Forces. The information was made public on August 1, 2025, through a series of photographs published on Facebook by the defense-focused platform Sahabat Keris, showing the KHAN ITBM-600 system positioned at Raipur A base of the 18th Field Artillery Battalion in East Kalimantan.
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The KHAN system is a tactical ballistic missile developed by Türkiye’s Roketsan and recently acquired by Indonesia in its ITBM-600 variant (Picture source: Facebook Channel Sahabat Keris)

On the same day, military observers confirmed the presence of the KHAN ITBM-600 system at Raipur A base in East Kalimantan. The deployment was documented through exclusive images published by Sahabat Keris, showing the system prepared for operational use. 

The KHAN system is a tactical ballistic missile developed by Türkiye’s Roketsan and recently acquired by Indonesia in its ITBM-600 variant. Designed to deliver long-range precision strikes, it is mounted on a Tatra 8×8 mobile platform that ensures high mobility over varied terrain and enables rapid and discreet deployment. The missile weighs 2,500 kg and has a diameter of 610 mm, with a maximum range of 280 km. It is designed to strike strategic targets beyond the frontline, including command centers, fortified infrastructure, and troop concentrations. It is guided by a hybrid navigation system combining GPS, GLONASS, and inertial guidance, ensuring reliable accuracy even in electronically contested environments.

The KHAN system provides a credible offensive capability while maintaining high survivability through tactical mobility. Its mobile configuration enables quick repositioning, reducing exposure to counterattacks. Although it lacks integrated active protection systems, its operational concept relies on concealment, rapid deployment, and the ability to carry out deep strikes. The payload, though not detailed publicly, can accommodate various warhead types, allowing the system to be adapted for different mission profiles, from conventional deterrence to targeted operations. As such, the KHAN system is suited to Indonesia’s operational requirements, especially given its archipelagic geography.

The KHAN program is the result of a 2022 contract between Indonesia and Türkiye’s Roketsan. The agreement includes the transfer of Türkiye’s most advanced ballistic technology to Southeast Asia. The ITBM-600 model selected by Jakarta is the most capable export variant developed by Roketsan, drawing on operational experience from the Turkish Armed Forces.

Mounted on the 8×8 Tatra chassis, the system's mobility is particularly suited to Indonesia’s insular terrain. This high-mobility platform enables fast activation and flexible relocation, contributing to the system’s survivability in contested settings. This tactical flexibility is essential for responding to rapidly evolving threats in complex environments.

Technically, the KHAN missile has a maximum range of 280 kilometers, providing Indonesia with a strike capability that exceeds traditional artillery systems. Its hybrid guidance—using GPS and GLONASS alongside inertial navigation—ensures accurate targeting even in the presence of jamming. The 2,500 kg missile, with its 610 mm diameter, reflects a balance between range, accuracy, and payload capacity. It is capable of engaging high-value targets under demanding operational conditions.

The system also benefits from prior integration into the Turkish Armed Forces, which reduces implementation risks for Indonesia. The availability of established maintenance procedures and training protocols streamlines the system's adoption and facilitates rapid integration into Indonesian units.

The KHAN deployment aligns with strategic priorities previously outlined by Indonesian defense authorities, particularly the expansion of missile and artillery capabilities. It fills a critical capability gap by offering long-range precision strike options and enhances the country’s conventional deterrence. This development provides Indonesia with the ability to target threats beyond its borders, offering additional security for its maritime territory and signaling a clear intent to safeguard national interests.

In a region characterized by evolving security dynamics, the operationalization of the KHAN system reinforces Indonesia’s defense posture without deviating from its traditional non-aligned foreign policy. The system offers a degree of operational autonomy, allowing Indonesia to respond to regional tensions without depending on external military support.

On the bilateral level, the acquisition reflects an expanding industrial defense relationship between Türkiye and Indonesia. In addition to equipment transfers, the two countries are now exploring cooperation in local production and joint defense projects. The KHAN program may open the door to broader collaboration in the defense sector.

Regionally, the introduction of this ballistic capability into Indonesia’s arsenal is likely to draw attention from other Southeast Asian militaries. It may prompt neighboring countries to adjust their force postures or seek comparable technologies. Indonesia’s acquisition underlines its intent to preserve strategic autonomy through access to advanced systems, even under financial constraints.