Senior-level talks highlight Indonesia’s enhanced defense collaboration with U.K., U.S.

Gusty Da Costa

Indonesia is strengthening its defense partnerships with the United Kingdom and the United States, highlighted by recent meetings to bolster military collaboration and security in the Indo-Pacific.

Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s talks with Adm. Tony Radakin, U.K. Chief of the Defence Staff, and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underscored initiatives to enhance strategic ties and address common security challenges.

Radakin’s visit to Indonesia in late May 2024 further deepened the nations’ defense relations, stated Indonesia’s Defense Ministry, known as Kemhan. His meeting with Prabowo focused on expanding cooperation, with an emphasis on joint exercises, training programs and defense technology development. They also discussed humanitarian assistance, disaster management, military education and technology transfers.

“I consider Britain to be a close relation and important partner for Indonesia, especially in the defense sector,” said Prabowo, who will take office as his nation’s leader in October 2024.

His meeting with Austin in early June on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore further solidified the Indonesia-U.S. defense partnership, Kemhan stated. The discussions centered on enhancing military capabilities through joint exercises, military education and defense equipment procurement. Prabowo expressed appreciation for U.S. support in modernizing Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) defense assets.

Key areas of bilateral cooperation include strengthening maritime security, counterterrorism and cybersecurity, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The collaboration aims to improve the skills and professionalism of the TNI, ensuring Indonesia’s readiness to address security threats.

The high-level discussions align with Indonesia’s defense priorities and contribute to the broader national defense strategic plan, according to Khairul Fahmi, a military affairs expert at Jakarta’s Institute for Security and Strategic Studies.

They also demonstrate “the three countries’ strong commitment to strengthening defense cooperation and promoting regional security,” Dave Laksono, an Indonesian lawmaker overseeing defense issues, told FORUM.

Strengthening military collaboration with two major powers enables Indonesia to address shared security challenges more effectively and contributes to regional stability, Laksono said. The focus on maritime security is critical given Indonesia’s vast maritime territory and strategic location.

Joint maritime exercises, such as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training with the U.S. and Konfrontasi Maritim with the U.K., enhance interoperability and operational readiness. “These exercises aim to improve surveillance, response capabilities and coordination in addressing maritime threats,” including piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing, Laksono said.

No nation can address such challenges alone, said Nikolaus Loy, an international relations expert at UPN “Veteran” University in Yogyakarta. “So, this cooperation then allows for burden sharing in maritime security issues, both traditional and nontraditional,” he told FORUM.

Increased military collaboration with the U.K. and the U.S. brings substantial benefits to the TNI, particularly in capacity building and technological advancement, Laksono said. Technology transfers also support the development of Indonesia’s defense industry.

“Joint training programs, personnel exchanges and the procurement of advanced defense equipment from the U.S. and U.K. enhance the professionalism and operational capabilities of the TNI,” he added.

Gusty Da Costa is a FORUM contributor based in Jakarta, Indonesia.