Indonesia's Defense University has launched a cybersecurity training program in partnership with French defense giant Thales, the latest move in what has become a quiet arms race as Southeast Asian militaries rush to build cyber warfare capabilities.
The program, announced by Thales, will train Indonesian military personnel in cyber defense, threat detection, and digital security—skills that Indonesia deems essential as warfare increasingly occurs in digital domains alongside traditional battlefields.
Indonesia established a dedicated Cyber Forces Command in 2024, joining Singapore, which launched its Digital and Intelligence Service in 2022, and Vietnam, which has mobilized sophisticated hacker networks within its military structure.
Ten countries, 700 million people, one region—and Southeast Asia's cyber capabilities are advancing rapidly, driven by concerns about espionage, critical infrastructure protection, and the region's positioning between major cyber powers China and the United States.
The Thales partnership gives Indonesia access to training methodologies and technology from a company that works with NATO militaries, French intelligence services, and major corporations on cybersecurity. For Thales, Indonesia represents a growing market in a region where defense budgets are rising and cyber threats are proliferating.
Singapore has invested heavily in cyber defense, establishing the Cyber Security Agency and requiring critical infrastructure operators to meet stringent security standards. Its military cyber branch operates with resources that dwarf regional counterparts, though actual capabilities remain classified.
Vietnam takes a different approach, according to security researchers and diplomatic cables. Rather than building Western-style cyber commands, Vietnam has cultivated networks of hackers who operate with tacit state support, targeting dissidents, foreign companies, and governments Hanoi considers threats. The arrangement provides plausible deniability while maintaining capability.
Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines are further behind, though all have announced cyber defense initiatives in recent years. Budget constraints, personnel challenges, and competing military priorities limit their progress, but awareness has increased as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and digital espionage affect government systems.
The competition carries risks. As each country builds offensive cyber capabilities—though few admit to doing so—the potential for miscalculation increases. A cyber attack against critical infrastructure could escalate into broader conflict, especially if attribution is unclear or intentionally obscured.
ASEAN has attempted to establish norms around cyber conduct, but consensus remains elusive. Some members prioritize sovereignty and resist external interference in their digital spaces. Others advocate for alignment with international frameworks. The result is rhetorical agreement on cooperation but limited practical coordination.
For Indonesia, the Thales partnership represents a step toward cyber parity with Singapore, the region's acknowledged leader. Whether training programs translate into operational capability depends on funding, personnel retention, and integration with broader military strategy.
What's certain: Southeast Asia's digital battlespace is getting more crowded, more sophisticated, and more difficult to monitor—a cyber arms race playing out while the world focuses on traditional military tensions in the South China Sea.
