The Core Issue of the Military Aircraft Airspace Transit Controversy: Proposal from the US, No Final Decision Yet

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The issue of United States (US) military aircraft having free access to Indonesian airspace continues to draw public attention to this day.

This issue originated from a secret US defence document aimed at securing airspace transit access for US military aircraft through Indonesian airspace.

The document is said to follow the meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump in Washington last February.

It is stated that Prabowo approved a proposal to allow comprehensive airspace transit permits for US aircraft through Indonesian airspace.

So, is it true that Indonesia is freeing up its airspace for US military aircraft to enter and exit?

The government has affirmed that sovereignty over the airspace in the country is under Indonesian authority.

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence (Kemenhan) has assured that authority, control, and supervision over Indonesian airspace are also in the hands of the state.

Kemenhan has also emphasised that the circulating news is still in the form of an initial draft.

Rico said that the document is not a final agreement and does not yet have legally binding force.

“This is an initial draft that is still in the stage of internal and inter-agency discussions,” Rico stated.

Therefore, the document cannot yet serve as the basis for official Government of the Republic of Indonesia policy.

According to him, the government is committed to ensuring that every defence cooperation with other countries prioritises national interests, particularly in safeguarding the sovereignty of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).