Indonesia to Develop International Military Training Centre in Morotai

Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced that Indonesia intends to develop an international military training centre in Morotai, North Maluku.

Sjafrie stated that the plan for the military training facility was discussed with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

“We discussed the possibility of developing a training facility in Morotai,” Sjafrie said at the Defence Ministry office in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March.

He noted that Morotai was previously utilised during World War II and therefore retains existing defence infrastructure. The government will upgrade this infrastructure to make it operational for current use. However, Sjafrie did not provide specific details regarding the timeline for developing the training area.

“I discussed how we can create international training facilities in Morotai. There, we can conduct air training, naval training, and ground training,” he explained.

Sjafrie indicated that the training area would eventually serve as a venue for the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) to conduct joint exercises with the militaries of other nations.

He emphasised that Indonesia does not wish to isolate itself from neighbouring countries.

“It does not have to be limited to Australia. It could also be from the Philippines, from Japan. I said international training facilities,” he stated.