Indonesian officials have stated that the Defense Ministers of France and Indonesia agreed on Friday, January 31st, to strengthen cooperation in order to maintain stability in the region.
Brig. Gen. Frega Wenas, spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, mentioned that during a meeting, visiting French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin agreed that the two countries can collaborate through technical exchanges and other forms of cooperation.
Earlier this week, the French Embassy in Jakarta announced that France had sent a carrier strike group to Indonesia for the first time. The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles De Gaulle, made stops in Bali and Lombok where it carried out various logistical activities as part of its six-month mission in the Pacific since November 2024.
The embassy further explained that the Charles De Gaulle also participated in joint exercises with warships from eight countries in the Malacca Strait, Sunda Strait, and near Lombok Island.
In July last year, French Air Force planes made a stop in the Indonesian capital as part of a Southeast Asia tour aimed at demonstrating France’s commitment to security in the Indian Ocean-Pacific region. China’s (CCP) maritime activities in the region have been increasing.
Military cooperation between Indonesia and France has been steadily developing in recent years since President Prabowo Subianto, who previously served as the Indonesian Minister of Defense, took office.
Last year, Indonesia ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, with the first batch expected to be delivered according to the contract in 2026. Indonesia also announced the purchase of two Scorpene Evolved-class submarines from France and 13 sets of Thales Ground Control Interception Radar (Thales GCIR), with five radar systems set to be installed in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.
These procurements come amidst escalating tensions in the region, especially in the disputed South China Sea where China is asserting territorial expansion. Although Indonesia is not a claimant state, conflicts with China have arisen over fishing rights near the Natuna Islands, which lie within Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone but are also claimed by the People’s Republic of China.
The South China Sea is crucial for shipping lanes, abundant fishery resources, and underwater mineral reserves. Countries involved are striving to establish codes of conduct, but progress has been limited.
(This article is based on reporting from the Associated Press)