House Commission I: Indonesia-US MDCP a Step to Strengthen Defence
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chairman of House Commission I Dave Laksono stated that the Major Defence Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) agreed between Indonesia and the United States (US) represents a step to strengthen the country’s defence.
“Of course, this is a step to strengthen our defence, while we solidify our military diplomacy,” said Dave when met at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
He noted that the defence cooperation is also in line with efforts to ensure the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) always adapts to geopolitical developments and improves the quality and understanding of the latest defence technologies to safeguard Indonesia’s sovereignty.
According to him, technology and training cooperation are one of the focuses of the partnership inaugurated on Monday (13/4).
“And that can open opportunities for other cooperations related to our defence,” said the House member in the defence sector.
Indonesia and the US agreed to elevate defence cooperation to the MDCP level as a framework for strengthening defence cooperation to achieve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The partnership was inaugurated in a meeting between Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Defence Minister Pete Hegseth at the US Department of Defence headquarters, the Pentagon, on Monday (13/4) local time.
“The two leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral US-Indonesia defence relationship to a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership,” said Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell in an official Pentagon statement, monitored in Jakarta on Tuesday.
MDCP has three main pillars implemented based on the principles of mutual respect and national sovereignty, namely military modernisation and capacity building, professional military training and education, as well as exercises and operational cooperation.
Parnell stated that in their meeting, Defence Minister Sjafrie and Defence Minister Hegseth committed to expanding the scope and complexity of bilateral and multilateral exercises, such as Super Garuda Shield.
This enhancement, he said, aims to strengthen the collective capabilities between the militaries of both countries in efforts to maintain peace.
“The two leaders reaffirmed the important and continuously developing defence relationship and discussed various shared goals, including enhancing special forces training and professional military education,” said Parnell.
Meanwhile, US Defence Minister Hegseth welcomed the strengthening of defence cooperation.
“This partnership reflects the strength and potential of our security relationship, strengthening regional deterrence and advancing our shared commitment to peace through strength,” said Hegseth.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) assured that the cooperation will strengthen national defence.
Head of the Defence Information Bureau of Kemhan, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, said the cooperation is seen as an opportunity to strengthen national defence capacity.
“However, it will still be carried out within the framework of free and active foreign policy, national interests, and full respect for state sovereignty,” said Rico.
He also assured that the contents of the Letter of Intent (LoI) regarding overflight clearance requested by the US are not included in the MDCP.
“That is not in the MDCP,” he said.
According to Rico, the cooperation points regarding permissions for US aircraft activities in Indonesian airspace are still under consideration. In the process, Kemhan prioritises sovereignty, national interests, and compliance with applicable national and international law.