The United States and Indonesia signed a defense cooperation agreement

Jakarta – On November 16, US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto sign the historic Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between the United States and Indonesia. The Defense Cooperation Arrangement opens up new opportunities for enhanced cooperation that the United States is exploring with Indonesia.

The two leaders celebrated the upgrading of the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership by Presidents Biden and Joko Widodo and discussed expanding training opportunities, increasing educational exchanges and improving maritime domain awareness.

“Minister Prabowo and I signed a historic Defense Cooperation Agreement on the sidelines of ADMK-Plus in Jakarta. Secretary Austin noted. „The deepening security relationship between the United States and Indonesia is an important part of a newly enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership.”

It follows the signing of „the largest iteration of the Super Garuda Shield in Indonesia” in September, Secretary Austin noted to reporters. „[I]In that exercise, seven countries participated along with 11 observer countries.

While in Indonesia, Secretary Austin attends the 10th annual ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), a year after the United States upgraded its relationship with ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Secretary emphasized America’s commitment to the ASEAN Center as a key pillar of America’s efforts to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific. He also described how US defense cooperation with ASEAN partners contributes to a more stable and prosperous region. He discussed U.S. support for a shared regional vision and outlined challenges to that vision, including coercive PRC actions in the South China Sea, the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, DPRK proliferation activities, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.