The United States announced on Monday a defense partnership with Indonesia, described as “major”, focusing on military modernization, capacity building, and training, according to a joint statement.
Jakarta stated that an American proposal to allow US military aircraft access to Indonesian airspace was under “careful consideration”, requiring further discussions and adherence to national procedures.
“We elevate our relationship to the level of a major partnership for defense cooperation, recognizing the strength and potential of our bilateral ties in this area,” said US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a statement published on X.
According to the joint statement, this partnership includes “military modernization and capacity building,” “training and professional military education,” as well as “exercises and operational cooperation.”
“The two nations reaffirm their shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the statement clarified.
The Indonesian government stated that this partnership presented an “opportunity to enhance national defense capabilities”, while emphasizing that “the independent and active foreign policy, national interests, and full respect for the sovereignty of states” would be upheld.
According to defense analysis site Global Firepower, Indonesia boasts the most powerful military force in Southeast Asia.
While Jakarta upholds a non-aligned diplomatic posture, the country joined the BRICS group of emerging economies last year, which includes Russia and China.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was in Moscow on Monday to meet with Vladimir Putin for discussions on energy.
The Indonesian head of state also signed a trade agreement with US President Donald Trump and joined his “Council for Peace.”
Indonesia holds a strategic position on the Strait of Malacca, deemed by the US Energy Information Administration as the world’s busiest oil and petroleum products passageway.
