Reportedly Letters Kemhan on US Request for Indonesian Airspace Access, Foreign Ministry Breaks Silence

Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) has spoken out regarding a letter sent to the Ministry of Defence following discussions on granting flight permissions for US military aircraft in Indonesian territory. Kemlu states that inter-ministerial communication is a normal part of policy formulation. “Inter-ministerial communication is commonplace in the policy-making process,” said Kemlu spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang in her statement on Wednesday (15/4/2026). Regarding Indonesian airspace access, Yvonne stated that the government will not grant free access to foreign parties for using Indonesia’s airspace. She explained that cooperation with other countries, including the United States, requires applicable national mechanisms and procedures. “The government emphasises that there is no policy granting free access to foreign parties for using Indonesian airspace,” she said. “Any form of cooperation arrangement, including with the United States, remains within the framework of Indonesia’s full sovereignty and still requires applicable national mechanisms and procedures,” she added. Yvonne confirmed that the United States has proposed overflight in Indonesia, but according to her, it is still under consideration. She emphasised that the government prioritises national interests and Indonesia’s airspace sovereignty. “Regarding overflight, this is a proposal from the US side that is still part of the Indonesian government’s internal considerations. The mechanisms for its regulation are still being carefully reviewed, placing national interests, Indonesia’s airspace sovereignty, and the principle of free and active foreign policy as the main foundation,” she explained. Yvonne said that Indonesia-US defence cooperation focuses on strengthening broader cooperation frameworks. Meanwhile, according to her, overflight arrangements are not the main pillar of that cooperation. “The government also emphasises that every input and view between ministries/institutions is part of a normal national process. Every proposal still under discussion will be processed carefully, measurably, and in accordance with official government mechanisms, so it cannot be interpreted as a final decision or an applicable policy,” she stated. Furthermore, Yvonne said the government always monitors current global geopolitical dynamics. The government ensures that policies taken will not impact national stability. “All forms of cooperation must provide real benefits for Indonesia and must not diminish the basic principles of state sovereignty, national policy independence, and Indonesia’s position as a country consistently implementing free and active foreign policy,” she concluded. Citing Japan Times and Reuters, the letter was reportedly urgent and sent by Kemlu to Kemhan in early April 2026 or ahead of a meeting between Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, in Washington DC. In the letter, Kemlu warned that the US proposal on flight permissions risks dragging Indonesia into potential South China Sea conflicts. In its letter, Kemlu urged the Ministry of Defence to delay any final agreement with Washington. Affirmation from Kemhan RI Previously reported, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed to establish the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) between the US and Indonesia. Kemhan RI emphasised that the MDCP does not include cooperation on Indonesian airspace access for the US military. “That (US aircraft flight permission agreement) is not in the MDCP,” said Head of Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Kemhan Secretariat, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, quoted by Antara on Tuesday (14/4). MDCP is a defence cooperation framework recently signed by Defence Minister Sjafrie and Hegseth at the Pentagon, Washington DC, United States, on Monday (13/4). Rico conveyed that points of cooperation regarding US aircraft activities in Indonesian airspace are still under consideration by the Indonesian government. Rico said that in considering the proposal, Kemhan RI prioritises Indonesia’s sovereignty, national interests, and compliance with applicable national and international law. He also emphasised that every cooperation decision built by the Ministry of Defence and the United States must benefit Indonesia. Rico assured that public security and state sovereignty are the government’s top priorities in determining international cooperation steps. “All forms of cooperation must still provide real benefits for Indonesia and must not diminish the basic principles of state sovereignty, national policy independence, and Indonesia’s position as a country consistently implementing free and active foreign policy,” Rico said. Rico outlined the contents of the agreed military collaboration between Indonesia and the United States, covering cooperation in developing defence technology capacity, improving operational readiness, professional military education, and strengthening interpersonal defence relations between the two countries. “This cooperation is seen as an opportunity to strengthen national defence capacity, but it is still carried out within the corridor of free and active foreign policy, national interests, and full respect for state sovereignty,” he said.