Indonesian and Australian Defence Ministers Agree to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Indonesia’s Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin received a visit from Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles at the Defence Ministry office in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026. The bilateral meeting produced a strategic agreement to accelerate implementation of the Jakarta Treaty as well as plans to reactivate Morotai as an international-scale joint military training centre.

Defence Minister Sjafrie stated that the main point of this bilateral meeting was to accelerate realisation of the Jakarta Treaty, or Joint Security Treaty, which had previously been signed by President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in February.

“The essence is to accelerate the Jakarta Treaty, namely how we can improve the implementation of our defence. Relations between countries depend greatly on personal relations between institutions,” said Sjafrie in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

One crucial point discussed was the development of Morotai in North Maluku into an integrated military base and joint training centre. Morotai holds strong historical significance as it was a strategic Allied military base during World War II.

Sjafrie emphasised that existing defence infrastructure at Morotai would be improved for joint use. However, he stressed that this base would not be open solely to Australia, but also to other neighbouring countries within the framework of international joint exercises.

“We do not wish our country to be closed off. We want to be open-minded towards other countries. Morotai will be prepared as an integrated military base (air, sea, land) to strengthen defence at the edge of the Pacific,” he added.

Sjafrie and Marles also witnessed the technical signing of Jakarta Treaty implementation by both countries’ Director-Generals of Strategy. According to Sjafrie, this treaty opens the way for the TNI to not only be a people’s army and freedom fighter army, but also play an active role as an international army in maintaining regional stability.

Currently, Leo Wattimena Airbase in Morotai continues to be developed as Indonesia’s frontline defence post in northern Maluku. This development includes strengthening radar units, missiles, air defence detachments, and naval bases.