Prabowo Meets Pentagon Official at Palace, Here Are the Details
President Prabowo Subianto received a visit from US defence official Elbridge A. Colby at the State Palace on Wednesday (12/8/2026). During the meeting, Colby explained that there would be an increase in cooperation.
Elbridge, who serves as the US Under Secretary of War for Policy at the United States Department of War, expressed his honour at being able to attend a luncheon with President Prabowo.
“It is an extraordinary honour to meet with the President and his core team,” he told reporters after the meeting.
He also affirmed that the US government is optimistic about advancing relations with Indonesia.
“The US government is very optimistic about advancing relations with Indonesia based on the principles of mutual respect, partnership, and deeper enhanced cooperation. We are honoured to be here and hope to continue advancing relations with Indonesia. Thank you very much,” he said.
Previously, Elbridge also held a meeting with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Ministry of Defence office on Tuesday (11/8/2026). On that occasion, the two sides exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations and the implementation of various programmes within the framework of the Major Defence Cooperation Partnership.
Sjafrie also explained that one of the focuses of future cooperation is improving the quality of human resources in the defence sector through education and training.
Opportunities for TNI personnel to attend education and training in the United States will continue to be encouraged by prioritising professionalism and the merit principle, so that personnel who receive opportunities are those who have competence and meet qualifications.
In addition to human resource development, the two sides discussed increasing joint exercises, including joint special forces exercises, as well as cooperation that supports improving the capability and professionalism of the TNI. The Defence Minister emphasised that strengthening Indonesia-US defence cooperation remains placed within the framework of national interests and is directed at strengthening Indonesia’s capabilities to become more self-reliant in safeguarding sovereignty and national interests.
Sjafrie also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the defence industry sector as part of efforts to increase Indonesia’s defence capacity and capability. Defence industry cooperation is directed at supporting the development of national capabilities and strengthening Indonesia’s defence self-reliance through partnerships that provide tangible benefits for both countries.
On that occasion, Sjafrie also affirmed that the development of defence cooperation with the US is not directed towards the establishment of US military bases in Indonesia.
Cooperation is focused on programmes that provide benefits for increasing national defence capacity, particularly education, training, improving personnel capabilities, and strengthening interoperability according to Indonesia’s needs and interests.