JAKARTA: Indonesia and Japan Strengthen Defence Ties
On Monday, Indonesia and Japan took a significant step in their defence partnership by signing a cooperation agreement in Jakarta. This move highlights the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability amid ongoing global challenges.
The agreement was signed during the visit of Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to Indonesia. This comes shortly after Japan relaxed its long-standing restrictions on arms exports, allowing its companies to sell military equipment to countries with which it has defence agreements.
Rico Ricardo Sirait, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s Defence Ministry, shared with AFP that this pact aims to enhance collaboration between the two nations in several key areas. These include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief efforts, joint military exercises, and maritime cooperation.
Sirait emphasized that the agreement also paves the way for further collaboration in defence technology and equipment, while keeping a strong focus on ensuring regional stability.
Since taking office in 2024, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, a former general, has been advocating for the modernization of the country’s older military assets.
