Foreign Ministry Writes to Defence Ministry Regarding US Request for Unrestricted Military Aircraft Flights Over Indonesia
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), Yvonne Mewengkang, stated that her office has sent a letter to the Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) regarding the overflight clearance requested by the United States (US) to allow US military aircraft unrestricted passage over Indonesia.
“Inter-ministerial communication is a common aspect of the policy formulation process,” Yvonne told Kompas.com on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
She explained that every form of cooperation arrangement, including with the US, remains within the framework of Indonesia’s full sovereignty and still requires applicable national mechanisms and procedures.
“Regarding overflight, this is a proposal from the US side that is still part of the Indonesian government’s internal considerations,” she clarified.
“The mechanism for regulating it is still being carefully reviewed, placing national interests, Indonesia’s airspace sovereignty, and the principle of an active and independent foreign policy as the primary basis,” Yvonne added.
She claimed that the overflight arrangement is not a main pillar in the Indonesia-US cooperation.
“The government also emphasises that every input and perspective between ministries/institutions is part of a normal national process. Any proposals still under discussion will be processed meticulously, measurably, and in accordance with official government mechanisms, so they cannot be interpreted as final decisions or applicable policies,” she said.
According to her, all forms of cooperation must provide tangible benefits for Indonesia.
“And must not diminish the basic principles of state sovereignty, national policy independence, and Indonesia’s position as a country consistently implementing an active and independent foreign policy,” Yvonne added.
The Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) has affirmed that reports regarding an agreement allowing US military aircraft unrestricted entry and exit from Indonesian territory are still in the early discussion stage and not final.
Head of the Defence Public Relations and Information Bureau (Karo Humas and Infohan) of Kemhan, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the circulating news is still in the form of an initial draft.
“This is an initial draft that is still in the internal and inter-agency discussion stage,” Rico said in his statement on Monday (13/4/2026).
Therefore, the document also cannot yet serve as the basis for official government policy of the Republic of Indonesia.
Rico explained that the government is committed to ensuring that every defence cooperation with other countries prioritises national interests, particularly in safeguarding the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).