Indonesian and Thai Defence Ministers Discuss Malacca Strait Security

Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin held a bilateral meeting with Thai Defence Minister H.E. Lieutenant General Adul Boonthumjaroen at the Ministry of Defence office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (4/8/2026). During the meeting, the two discussed strengthening security stability in the Malacca Strait region and agreed on a commitment to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership through a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). Sjafrie emphasised that Indonesia and Thailand are determined to strengthen collaboration in various multilateral forums within the framework of fellow ASEAN member countries. “We are committed to elevating the relationship to a Strategic Partnership. This commitment is realised through strengthening defence cooperation based on the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA),” Sjafrie said in Jakarta. Sjafrie expressed appreciation for the participation of Thai soldiers in the multinational joint exercise Super Garuda Shield held in Batam some time ago as a manifestation of regional solidarity. To enrich military insight and capacity, the Indonesian Ministry of Defence plans to promote personnel exchanges and arrange a special joint exercise agenda between the special forces units of both countries. “We also want to continue to encourage personnel exchanges. We will conduct exchanges of officers and soldiers from the special forces of both countries, and plan to conduct exercises between the two special forces of Indonesia and Thailand,” he added. The strengthening of this defence cooperation is expected to support the security of the strategic maritime route of the Malacca Strait, which is vital for international trade routes.