Active Conflicts & News Megathread September 01, 2025

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[u/teethgrindingaches]

The Australian Lowy Institute published a brief rebuttal today of various claims that Indonesia's recent acquisition of Turkish ballistic missiles was targeted at China w.r.t. SCS disputes. The missiles are neither deployed nor equipped for that role; they lack the range, and even if they didn't, they lack the terminal guidance capabilities to target ships.

The location of the KHAN missile system likely signals its strategic objective. With a maximum range of 280 kilometres, its missiles cannot even reach Brunei from its present position, let alone the South China Sea. It is currently deployed in Kalimantan, Borneo, the site of Indonesia’s future capital. The defence plan for the new capital calls for a layered defence system anchored in stronger air and maritime capabilities.

With its limited range and land-attack profile, the KHAN missile system is optimised for striking fixed targets and is not suitable for engaging moving warships.

It is clear the KHAN ballistic missile system is neither aimed at China nor designed for operations in the South China Sea. Its deployment reflects Jakarta’s other strategic priorities: protecting the future capital in Borneo and reinforcing its position in overlapping maritime claims with Malaysia.