I believe the administration found no other choice, but to developed defense articles independently as far as local resources can. We can't rely with imports all the way, cause it will increase our trade deficit. Even with 'local' development, some 'parts' will always come from import, but at least reduce import dependency some what.
Bakamla eyes coordinated response to Chinese activity in the Natunas
This action from China in SCS part of North Natuna sea shown however how much Trade we have with China, in someway they can't be 100% trusted. They say that they don't have interlocking claimed with Indonesian territory, but still they continue testing our reaction in Natuna sea. We are not in possition to match Chinese Coast Guard and PLAN on one by one development. Still when some of us in banking being invited with TNI-AL on their development plan (since they need local Banks support) a coleuge of mine from State Owned banks told that long term plan of TNI-AL is to have abilities to 'close' match PLAN southern fleet.
In their thinking PLAN Eastern and Nothern fleet is Taiwan, Japan, and ROK problem. This in the scenario if USN did not come, and the rest of Asia (East and southeast) have to handle China by themselves.