On August 1, 2025, the KHAN ITBM-600 ballistic missile procured from Turkey since 2022, has officially landed at the 18th Field Artillery Batallion—an Indonesian Army’s Raipur situated in Tenggarong, East Kalimantan.
Images showing the presence of this advanced strategic weapon immediately captured widespread attention after it was uploaded by a local military enthusiast page on Facebook named Sahabat Keris.
Indonesia marked a pivotal milestone in its defense capabilities with the acquisition of the Turkey-made KHAN ballistic missile. Making it the first nation in Southeast Asia to operate a tactical ballistic missile system.
Specifications of the KHAN Ballistic Missile
As described in Roketsan’s website, the KHAN Missile is a strategic short-range battlefield weapon with a diameter of 610mm, weighing up to 2,500 kg with a range from 80 to 280 km. The missile system is fired using an 8x8 Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) or other tactical wheeled vehicle platforms depending on the user’s demands.
Packed with a high-explosive warhead weighing about 470-kilograms, the KHAN missile can execute attacks on high-value targets, including airfields, logistics facilities, fortified bunkers, command-and-control nodes, and forward-deployed radar arrays.
With a hybrid type navigation device, comprising GPS, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and inertial navigation (INS), the KHAN missile possesses high accuracy and rapid deployment capability that can deliver precise targeting in contested terrains.
Furthermore, this Turkey manufactured weapon is armed with an aerodynamic flight control and an electromechanical actuation system, enabling high maneuverability during terminal phase, boosting lethality as well as decreasing interception risk.
Strategic and Regional Impacts of Indonesia’s KHAN ballistic missile deployment
As compiled from Defence Security Asia and Turkindo News, Indonesia’s acquisition of the KHAN ballistic missile has several strategic and regional implications.
First of all, Indonesia—which has long relied on coastal defense and short-range systems due to its vast archipelagic territory, is now bolstering its strike capabilities throughout the majority of the South China Sea and its surrounding contested maritime zones.
Moreover, this upgrade gives Indonesia an accurate second-strike capability, improving the country’s ability in tackling asymmetric or hybrid threats and demonstrating its commitment to protect the nation’s authority by applying modern precision-strike weaponry that transcends traditional naval and air forces.
However, China stated that Indonesia’s deployment of the KHAN ballistic missile could potentially affect the balance of power, sparking concerns among Indonesia and its neighboring countries.
Other Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines may be compelled to acquire similar missile power in order to preserve deterrence. Which could amount to a missile rivalry in Southeast Asia, affecting regional security dynamics.
While China remains cautious, particularly near contentious waters like Natuna, allies such as Australia and the United States may welcome the increased defense capability. On the other hand, non-proliferation advocates may continue to stay alert regarding the normalization of long-range attack weapons within a historically constrained region.
In recent years, Indonesia has reportedly been strengthening its defence ties with Turkish manufacturers, signing two contracts with Turkey’s Roketsan during the 2025 Indo Defense Exhibition, according to Channel News Asia.
These agreements involve acquiring the ATMACA Anti-Ship Missile, the ATMACA Weapon System and forming a cooperative venture to build a local missile assembly and manufacturing capability. Additionally, Indonesia has also agreed to procure the 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey, which its production will begin soon and is set to be deployed in 2028 or 2029.
