Indo Defence 2025 Strengthens US-Indonesia Defense Partnership

KBRN, Jakarta: The US Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Heather Merritt said that the Indo Defence Expo and Forum 2025 is an opportunity for Indonesia and the US to mutually strengthen trade and partnership in the defense and security sectors.

“This is also an opportunity to support the transformation of Indonesia’s defence sector, as well as other areas, including civil aviation, dual-use technology, cyber security, and strategic industrial cooperation,” said Merritt at the opening of the 'USA Partnership Pavilion' at the Indo Defence Expo and Forum 2025 in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 12, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.

According to her, Super Garuda Shield is an effort by the Indonesian and US governments to deepen military cooperation. Super Garuda Shield is an annual joint military exercise between the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the US Armed Forces, which also involves other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

The joint exercise is held to enhance military capabilities, interoperability, and collective commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

This year, Super Garuda Shield will take place at the end of August. A total number of 15 countries estimated to participate, including the US, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, France, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, India, Singapore, New Zealand, Cambodia, and Papua New Guinea.

Merritt continued, the US and Indonesia also cooperate in the aerospace sector. The US provides high-quality technology for use in Indonesia’s air fleet and supports operational safety training as well as aviation technology.

She also mentioned that Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia uses products from the US company Boeing, which is also participating in the Indo Defence Forum.

According to her, there are still many other areas that both countries can explore with cross-industry and dual-use technologies. This is especially true in the developing fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security.

“The United States is ready to create future solutions that support Golden Indonesia. We are helping the country’s modernization efforts across the entire aerospace, defence, and security ecosystem,” emphasized Merritt. ***