Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Sweden have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen their defense cooperation through, among others, technology transfers and joint research and development.

The MoU was signed by Indonesias Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu and Swedish Defense Minister Carl Anders Peter Hultqvist here on Tuesday.

"We have officially built the cooperation. In future, we will improve this cooperation," Ryamizard said.

The two countries will cooperate in developing the defense industry through technology transfers, and joint research and production of defense and security equipment.

Under the MoU, six areas of cooperation have been identified.

The first relates to exchange of information and views relating to common interests including political and military aspects of maritime security and international issues.

Second, the two countries will work together to exchange best practices and promote cooperation between agencies engaged in research and development, science and technology, and other relevant agencies.

Third, there will be exchanges in the field of logistics and maintenance support.

The two nations will also work to support technology transfers, joint research, joint production, joint marketing and quality assurance.

Fifth, the two countries will seek to jointly develop and improve training and education on defense and military at all levels, including civilians at the Ministry of Defense.

The two countries will also work together on military medicine and military health services.

Swedish Minister Hultqvist welcomed the signing of the MoU.

"Cooperation between Sweden and Indonesia has been established long before and the signing of the memorandum of understanding is a step forward to deepen the defense cooperation between the two countries," he said.

Hultqvist added that the MoU includes training and education as well as exchange of officials between the two countries.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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