Jakarta, while defending a non-aligned diplomatic posture, last year joined the BRICS bloc of emerging economies that includes Russia and US-rival China.
Prabowo has also signed a trade deal with US President Donald Trump and joined his so-called “Board of Peace”, although has insisted his country would not pay the US$1 billion joining fee for permanent membership.
Indonesia is a major arms buyer from France, with then-Defence Minister Prabowo inking a US$8.1 billion deal in 2022 to purchase 42 French-made Rafale jets.
Prabowo, a former military general who was elected president in 2024, has sought to modernise Indonesia’s ageing military assets.
On Monday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and announced a “Major Defence Cooperation Partnership”.
A joint statement underlined the countries’ “shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific”.
Indonesia is strategically located on the Malacca Strait – the world’s busiest chokepoint for oil and petroleum liquids, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The vast majority of China-bound oil travels through Malacca Strait.
Jakarta on Tuesday said it was still considering a US request for “overflight clearance” which, if approved, analysts say could be seen as an alignment with Washington over Beijing.
Read the full article here
