Indonesia
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Partnerships
Indonesia-Vietnam defense alignment counters China’s maritime expansion
Gusty Da Costa The elevation of Indonesia and Vietnam’s relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is emerging as a pivotal force in countering China’s maritime assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Anchored in enhanced defense cooperation and maritime coordination, the partnership is increasingly linked to strategic efforts by the United States to reinforce international laws and challenge unilateral actions in the contested…
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Partnerships
Australia, Indonesia seek closer defense, economic ties
The Associated Press Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto met in Jakarta in mid-May 2025 to strengthen economic and defense ties between the two neighbors. “I am here in Indonesia because no relationship is more important to Australia than this one,” Albanese said in a statement. “This is the fastest growing region of the world in…
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Partnerships
Indonesia, Malaysia expand defense partnership to counter transnational threats
Gusty Da Costa Facing shared threats from terrorism, piracy and cross-border crime, Indonesia and Malaysia reaffirmed their defense partnership during a high-level military meeting in April 2025 as they seek to deepen operational coordination and bolster regional stability. The engagement between top commanders comes ahead of the 18th High Level Committee (HLC) Malindo, where the nations are expected to advance…
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Partnerships
Indonesia, South Korea reaffirm defense industry ties with focus on aerospace development
Gusty Da Costa Indonesia and South Korea have reaffirmed their long-standing defense partnership, placing a sharper focus on expanding cooperation in the aviation and aerospace industries. Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Donny Ermawan Taufanto and Seok Jong-gun, head of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, recently reinforced the nations’ commitment to a strategic collaboration that transcends procurement and emphasizes joint development,…
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Illicit Activity
Southeast Asian nations target security risk posed by scam centers
Peter Parson Southeast Asian nations are cracking down on scam centers, a global criminal enterprise committing hundreds of millions of dollars of fraud annually while abusing human rights and threatening regional security. Authorities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are disrupting the syndicates, arresting offenders and freeing captive workers. Recent efforts have targeted Myanmar’s southeastern Myawaddy region, where scam…
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Partnerships
Expanded military cooperation strengthens Indonesia-U.S. security ties
Gusty Da Costa Indonesia and the United States are deepening their defense cooperation through an expanding array of joint military exercises and strategic initiatives, reinforcing their commitment to Indo-Pacific security. Engagements and initiatives such as Super Garuda Shield, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, Rim of the Pacific, and Pacific Partnership have significantly enhanced interoperability between the Indonesian National Armed Forces…
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Partnerships
Indonesia-Vietnam EEZ deal upholds international law, sends message to China
FORUM Staff Indonesian and Vietnamese leaders said their countries expect to formally agree in 2025 on exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundaries. The move not only settles a long-standing debate on the countries’ overlapping maritime territories, but it also presents a united front to oppose China’s expansive and illegal claims on the South China Sea. The boundaries on which Hanoi and…
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Illicit Activity
Regional security forces boost anti-piracy measures amid resurgence of attacks
Sarah Chan Regional security forces are responding rapidly to a surge in piracy attacks and armed robberies at sea around the Malacca and Singapore straits, including with collaborative patrols, increased monitoring and deployment of advanced technology. In the fourth quarter of 2024, 27 incidents were reported in the area, up from seven incidents during the same period in 2023. Meanwhile,…
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Northeast Asia
Allies and Partners expand complex air exercises across Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff Advanced air training is enhancing interoperability and forging relationships among Allies and Partners across the Indo-Pacific. Cope North 2025 in Guam, the United States Pacific Air Forces’ (PACAF) largest multilateral exercise, included more than 2,300 personnel from Australia, Japan and the U.S. Upwards of 80 air assets participated, including fighter jets, command and control and transport aircraft, tankers…
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Partnerships
Expanded multinational space domain component key part of Cobra Gold 2025
Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nunez/U.S. Air Force Exercise Cobra Gold, long a cornerstone of Thailand-United States military engagement in the Indo-Pacific, expanded into the space domain in 2025 with a multinational initiative to enhance interoperability and strengthen regional partnerships. “The goal is to establish a joint, combined, multinational component command specifically for space,” said Maj. Garry Stratiev, space operations planner for…
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