US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announces a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership with Indonesia, covering modernisation, training and regional stability.
WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a “major” defence partnership with Indonesia following a meeting at the Pentagon.
The new Major Defence Cooperation Partnership recognises the strength and potential of bilateral defence ties, according to a Hegseth statement.
It covers military modernisation, capacity building, training, professional education, and operational cooperation. A joint statement reaffirmed a shared commitment to maintaining Indo-Pacific peace and stability.
Jakarta described the partnership as an opportunity to reinforce national defence capacity. It insisted a “free and active foreign policy, national interests, and full respect for state sovereignty” would be maintained.
A US proposal for American military aircraft access over Indonesian airspace is being carefully reviewed. The Indonesian Ministry of Defence said it requires further technical discussion and national procedures.
Indonesia possesses the strongest military in Southeast Asia, according to Global Firepower. While maintaining a non-aligned posture, it joined the BRICS bloc of emerging economies last year.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for oil talks. Prabowo has also signed a trade deal with US President Donald Trump and joined his “Board of Peace”.
The country is strategically located on the Malacca Strait, the world’s busiest chokepoint for oil. This status is confirmed by the US Energy Information Administration.
