The United States on Monday announced a defense partnership with Indonesia described as “major,” focusing on military modernization, capacity building, and training, according to a joint statement.
Jakarta stated that a U.S. proposal for American military aircraft to access Indonesian airspace was under “careful review,” requiring further discussions and adherence to national procedures.
A “major” defense partnership: “We elevate our relationship to a major partnership of defense cooperation, recognizing the strength and potential of our bilateral ties in this area,” said U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a statement.
According to the joint statement, this partnership covers “military modernization and capacity building,” “training and professional military education,” as well as “exercises and operational cooperation.” “Both nations reaffirm their common commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the statement specifies.
The Indonesian government stated that this partnership represented an “opportunity to strengthen national defense capabilities,” while emphasizing that “foreign policy, national interests, and full respect for state sovereignty” would be preserved.
Do not put all your eggs in one basket: According to defense analysis site Global Firepower, Indonesia has the most powerful military force in Southeast Asia. While Jakarta maintains 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 oil. The Indonesian head of state also signed a trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump and joined his “Council for Peace.”
Indonesia holds a strategic position on the Malacca Strait, considered by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) as the world’s busiest passage for oil and petroleum products.
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