RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth welcomed his Indonesian counterpart Indonesian Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin at the Pentagon, Washington D.C. on Monday, April 13, 2026. They held a meeting and agreed to elevate the U.S.-Indonesia bilateral defense relationship to a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership. This new partnership will serve as a framework to enhance operational collaboration, partner on defense modernization, and increase training and interoperability.

The partnership is meant to serve as a framework to advance bilateral defense cooperation between the U.S. and Indonesia in order to maintain peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. "Your visit demonstrates the importance that the War Department places on our growing security relationship — and it is active and growing — with Indonesia," Hegseth told Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

During the meeting, Secretary Hegseth commended Indonesia for participating in the Board of Peace and playing a leading role in the International Stabilization Force. The leaders reaffirmed the vital and growing defense relationship and discussed a range of shared goals, including increasing special forces training and professional military education. The two leaders committed to expanding the scope and complexity of bilateral and multilateral exercises, such as Super Garuda Shield, to reinforce collective capabilities and promote peace through strength.

Meanwhile, in an official statement received by RRI VOI on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Head of the Defense Information Bureau, Secretariat General of Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the meeting marks a line of departure to foster the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, thru the development of capacity building and human investment in the fields of education and training, including for special forces.

"This discussion is in line with the spirit of strengthening Indonesia–United States defense relations aimed at supporting peace, regional stability, and enhancing the professionalism of both armed forces while respecting the sovereignty and national interests of each country," he said.

In addition, Rico also explained that under this framework, Indonesia and the United States are exploring jointly agreed initiatives, including capacity development cooperation, next-generation defense technology, operational readiness enhancement, professional military education, and building up defense personnel relations between the two countries. "For Indonesia, this cooperation is seen as an opportunity to strengthen national defense capacity, while still being conducted within the corridors of an active and independent foreign policy, national interests, and full respect for the sovereignty of the country," he said.

Additionally, Rico stated that the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia views the defense relationship with the United States as part of defense diplomacy that continues to be developed in a balanced and constructive manner. However, all forms of cooperation must still provide real benefits for Indonesia and should not undermine the fundamental principles of national sovereignty, independence of national policy, and Indonesia's position as a country that consistently pursues an independent and active foreign policy.