US and Indonesian Defense Ministers Meet, Announce Establishment of Significant Defense Partnership
US Secretary of Defense Hegseth and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met at the Pentagon and announced the establishment of a 'significant defense partnership.' This partnership covers military modernization, capacity building, training, professional military education, and exercise cooperation, reaffirming their shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Indonesia is cautiously evaluating a US proposal for overflight rights for US military aircraft, due to potential risks of involvement in South China Sea conflicts.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 19:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 21:53 (2h 21m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, April 13, comprehensive foreign wire report) US Secretary of War Hegseth today met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon and announced the establishment of a significant defense partnership with Indonesia.
Agence France-Presse reported that Hegseth (Pete Hegseth) stated in a statement posted on social media platform X: 'In recognition of the strength and potential of our defense cooperation, we are elevating our bilateral relationship to a significant defense partnership.'
According to a joint statement, this partnership covers 'military modernization and capacity building,' 'training and professional military education,' and 'exercises and operational cooperation.'
The statement pointed out: 'The two countries also reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.'
The Indonesian government emphasized that the partnership is 'an opportunity to strengthen defense capabilities.' As for the US desire for US military aircraft to obtain overflight rights in Indonesian airspace, Jakarta is currently 'cautiously evaluating' this proposal.
According to the global military strength analysis website 'Global Firepower,' Indonesia possesses the strongest military in Southeast Asia.
Reuters reported that sources revealed that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously sent a letter warning the Ministry of Defense that the US proposal to grant comprehensive permission for US military aircraft to fly over Indonesian airspace carries the risk of involving Jakarta in potential South China Sea conflicts.
This letter, which had not been previously exposed, urged the Ministry of Defense to postpone reaching a final agreement with Washington. It is currently unclear whether Hegseth and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin discussed the idea of overflying Indonesian airspace during their meeting.
Two Indonesian sources said that the proposal was originally scheduled to be signed at today's US-Indonesia defense ministers' meeting.
An anonymous US official said that although the statement did not mention the aforementioned proposal, it does not mean that the two sides did not discuss it privately. (Compiler: Hung Pei-ying) 1150414
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(Central News Agency, Washington, April 13, comprehensive foreign wire report) US Secretary of War Hegseth today met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon and announced the establishment of a significant defense partnership with Indonesia.
Agence France-Presse reported that Hegseth (Pete Hegseth) stated in a statement posted on social media platform X: 'In recognition of the strength and potential of our defense cooperation, we are elevating our bilateral relationship to a significant defense partnership.'
According to a joint statement, this partnership covers 'military modernization and capacity building,' 'training and professional military education,' and 'exercises and operational cooperation.'
The statement pointed out: 'The two countries also reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.'
The Indonesian government emphasized that the partnership is 'an opportunity to strengthen defense capabilities.' As for the US desire for US military aircraft to obtain overflight rights in Indonesian airspace, Jakarta is currently 'cautiously evaluating' this proposal.
According to the global military strength analysis website 'Global Firepower,' Indonesia possesses the strongest military in Southeast Asia.
Reuters reported that sources revealed that the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously sent a letter warning the Ministry of Defense that the US proposal to grant comprehensive permission for US military aircraft to fly over Indonesian airspace carries the risk of involving Jakarta in potential South China Sea conflicts.
This letter, which had not been previously exposed, urged the Ministry of Defense to postpone reaching a final agreement with Washington. It is currently unclear whether Hegseth and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin discussed the idea of overflying Indonesian airspace during their meeting.
Two Indonesian sources said that the proposal was originally scheduled to be signed at today's US-Indonesia defense ministers' meeting.
An anonymous US official said that although the statement did not mention the aforementioned proposal, it does not mean that the two sides did not discuss it privately. (Compiler: Hung Pei-ying) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
What kind of defense relationship have the US and Indonesia established?
The US and Indonesia have established a 'significant defense partnership' covering military modernization, capacity building, training, professional military education, and exercise and operational cooperation.
How is Indonesia responding to the US proposal regarding overflight rights?
Indonesia is 'cautiously evaluating' the US proposal for overflight rights for US military aircraft, due to the potential risk of involvement in South China Sea conflicts.