Washington (TDI): The United States and Indonesia signed a new defense framework, called the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP), at the Pentagon on Monday.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin for the formal signing ceremony. The agreement rests on three foundational pillars: military modernization and capacity building, training and professional military education, and exercises and operational cooperation.
Both countries will explore co-development of sophisticated asymmetric capabilities and next-generation defense technologies in maritime, subsurface, and autonomous systems domains. They also agreed to expand joint special forces training and improve maintenance, repair, and overhaul support.
The MDCP also includes enhanced cooperation in multinational exercises such as Super Garuda Shield and explores cutting-edge initiatives in asymmetric capabilities.
It was an honor to host Indonesian Defense Minister @sjafriesjams at the Pentagon today.
I was proud to announce that we are elevating our relationship to a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership, in recognition of the strength and potential of our bilateral defense ties. pic.twitter.com/eyo3Jh1cWF
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) April 13, 2026
Pete Hegseth said the partnership signifies the strength and potential of the security relationship. He noted that the two countries already conduct more than 170 joint military exercises each year.
The joint statement declares: “Both countries recognize each other as important partners and reaffirm their commitment to cooperation based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and shared interest in regional peace and stability.”
Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin expressed great enthusiasm to continue developing the defense relationship, stating both sides are working on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
The agreement underscores Indonesia’s balanced approach to strengthening defense ties with major powers while maintaining its non-aligned foreign policy. It coincides with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Russia.
Both nations have maintained formal diplomatic relations for more than 75 years, and this new framework builds on decades of cooperation to address emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Muhammad Usman Hashmi is a researcher in International Relations, focusing on climate diplomacy, global governance, and political economy in the Global South. He has contributed to policy dialogues with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the International Council on Human Rights, Peace and Politics. He is also associated with Rethinking Economics Islamabad, contributing to research on development and sustainability.
