UK–Indonesia Launches Flagship Maritime Partnership Programme

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Leading British defence company, Babcock International Group (Babcock), together with the British Embassy Jakarta, British Chamber of Commerce and Indonesian partners have formally launched the Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP), a flagship agreement to deepen UK–Indonesia cooperation across maritime defence, fisheries, industrial capability and skills development.

The event, held in Jakarta, was attended by Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, UK Minister for Aviation, Maritime, and Decarbonisation Keir Mather, Babcock Chief Executive David Lockwood OBE, British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey CVO OBE, businesses, senior government officials, academia and others.

Babcock signed four landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with leading universities, industry partners and key programme stakeholders.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta on Thursday, April 23, 2026, that the MOUs span workforce development, education, scholarships, and industrial capability – supporting Indonesia’s maritime goals and the delivery of the MPP, and include.

The MOUs reflect a deliberate strategy to invest across the full spectrum of Indonesia’s maritime development launch and build on the £4bn. UK-Indonesia maritime deal signed in November 2025, reinforcing commitments under the UK-Indonesia Strategic Partnership launched by President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London on January 20, 2026.

“The Maritime Partnership Programme is the Strategic Partnership in action, an example of how our strong international relationships are delivering real benefit for people at home in jobs, opportunity and growth. It highlights the UK and Indonesia’s shared commitment to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, upholding freedom of navigation and supporting a rules-based international order”, British Ambassador to Indonesia, Dominic Jermey CVO OBE said in Jakarta, Thursday April 23, 2026.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, Ian Betts, said that the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia warmly welcomes the launch of the UK-Indonesia Maritime Partnership Programme, which marks a significant step forward in deepening our bilateral economic and industrial ties.

Babcock’s investment, including its role in advancing Indonesia’s frigate capability through the Arrowhead 140 programme, demonstrates the strength of UK maritime expertise and its long-term commitment to Indonesia’s maritime ambitions.

This partnership goes beyond defence, supporting local industry development, skill transfer, and broader maritime ecosystem growth across Indonesia. In doing so, it reflects a shared vision for resilient, sustainable, and secure maritime infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.

Britcham looks forward to supporting the continued collaboration between UK and Indonesian partners as this programme progresses.