Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto has signed five defense partnership agreements with countries including India, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Cambodia and France. These agreements mark a strategic step in strengthening Indonesia's defense capabilities.

The signing, which took place in Jakarta on October 28, 2024, reflects a commitment to defense diplomacy aimed at enhancing stability and military cooperation between Indonesia and these countries.

The laws include Law No. 67 of 2024 on Indonesia-India Defense Cooperation, Law No. 68 on the Defense Agreement with Brazil, Law No. 69 on the Memorandum of Understanding with the United Arab Emirates, Law No. 70 on Indonesia-Cambodia Defense Cooperation, and Law No. 71 on the Defense Partnership with France.

All five laws were subsequently published on the website of the State Secretariat on Sunday, November 3.

Strengthening Cooperation, Not Alliances

At the plenary session of the People's Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) in late September, the five bills related to the ratification of international defense agreements were approved for enactment into law. This approval followed the work of a task force established last June between the government and the DPR.

It should be noted that Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized that these agreements do not constitute defense pacts or military alliances, but rather aim to strengthen cooperation and build trust to maintain Indonesia's territorial integrity.

Five Defense Agreements: Explained

Foreign Minister Retno explained the five defense agreements. The first agreement, with India, covers joint military education and training, technology development, and logistical support. It was signed by Prabowo Subianto, who was Indonesia's defense minister at the time, and his Indian counterpart in May 2018.

The second agreement, with France, covers cooperation in intelligence, military training, and defense industry technology, including peacekeeping operations. This agreement will be signed in Paris in June 2021.

The third agreement, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), covers information sharing, defense industry cooperation, and capacity building, with a focus on the production of ammunition and weapons components. It was signed by the defense ministers of both countries in Abu Dhabi in February 2020.

The fourth agreement, with Cambodia, includes dialogue, knowledge exchange, and defense technology, and aims to open up opportunities for Indonesian arms exports. This agreement was signed during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting in October 2017.

The fifth agreement, with Brazil, was signed in March 2017 in Rio de Janeiro. It provides opportunities for logistical support, technology transfer, joint research, and co-marketing in the defense industry.