US and Indonesia have announced a major defence cooperation agreement.
This comes as US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth hosted Indonesian Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon, where the deal was signed.
A joint statement on the new partnership disclosed that the new cooperation agreement features three “foundational pillars” that are based on each country’s national sovereignty and mutual respect: military organization and capacity building; training and professional military education; and exercises and operational cooperation.
The joint statement added that under the framework of the agreement, both countries will work on exploring cutting-edge initiatives, “including codeveloping sophisticated asymmetric capabilities, pioneering next-generation defense technologies in the maritime, subsurface and autonomous systems domains, and cooperating on maintenance, repair and overhaul support to improve operational readiness.”
The statement went on to explain that both the US and Indonesia have agreed to enhance joint special forces training, and that such engagements will make the bond between both countries’ militaries stronger.
Hegseth hailed the establishment of the major defence cooperation partnership. According to the Defence Department statement, Hegseth asserted that the new partnership signifies “the strength and potential of our security relationship… bolsters regional deterrence, and advances our shared commitment to peace through strength.”
The US Defence Secretary also said that Washington and Jakarta’s security relationship was “active and growing,” noting that both countries’ armed forces participate in more than 170 military exercises together each year. On his part, Sjamsoeddin affirmed Hegseth’s sentiment regarding the strength of the US-Indonesia relationship.
“We are here as Indonesian delegates… with very great enthusiasm to continue to develop our defence relationship, [which] should be enduring for our next generation in Indonesia and the United States of America. We’re working on behalf of mutual respect and mutual benefit to enhance [the] value of our national interests.”
Indonesian Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
Additionally, Hegseth noted that Indonesia has been helpful to the US with the recovery of fallen service members. “I appreciate your continued support in helping the United States find, return and protect the remains of our soldiers who fought alongside Indonesians during World War II,” Hegseth told Sjamsoeddin.
He added that the signing of the partnership memorandum will enable the War Department’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to recover those aforementioned service members’ remains in Indonesia.
The US and Indonesia have maintained formal diplomatic relations for more than 75 years, and established ties in 1949, just after Indonesia’s war for independence from the Netherlands.
US-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Partnership Deemed As Line Of Departure
Both Hegseth and Sjamsoeddin described the defense cooperation as a “line of departure,” a military term for setting off on a new mission, for their respective countries. “So, here’s to the next chapter and our new mission together for our great countries,” Hegseth told Sjamsoeddin.
The signing of the partnership comes a day after reports in Indonesia that both countries are discussing a proposal to give US military aircraft access to Indonesian airspace.
Several media outlets reported on Sunday that the US is seeking “blanket” overflight access for military aircraft through Indonesian airspace, adding that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had approved the proposal.
Responding to the reports, the Ministry of Defence in Jakarta said in a statement that the two countries are still discussing a “Letter of Intent,” and only a preliminary draft on overflight was being discussed internally. The ministry added that the draft is neither final nor binding.
The Defence Minister’s Spokesman, Rico Ricardo Sirait, told a news agency that control over Indonesian airspace belongs to Indonesia, saying that deals with other countries would protect Indonesia’s sovereignty and adhere to Indonesian law.
“The deal is not final. It is not legally binding. It cannot be used as a basis for official government policy.”
Rico Ricardo Sirait
He stressed that authority, control, and oversight over Indonesian airspace rest entirely in his country. “Any potential regulation shall guarantee Indonesia’s full authority to approve or reject any activity in national airspace,” he added.
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