The United States has announced a major partnership with Indonesia in the defense sector, focusing on military modernization, capacity building, and personnel training, according to a joint statement cited by international news agencies.
Washington’s Defense Minister, Pete Hegseth, hosted his Indonesian counterpart and announced a „Major Defense Cooperation Partnership.” The partnership comes at a time when the U.S. is strategically playing to contain China in terms of vital resources (control over Venezuelan and Iranian oil), just as Beijing has a monopoly over rare minerals that the West uses in its top industries.
One of the key battlegrounds in the U.S.-China competition is the Strait of Hormuz, the second most important chokepoint for China's economy in terms of oil worldwide. The first is the Strait of Malacca, through which 80% of China's oil imports pass.
The areas covered by the partnership include joint military exercises and operational cooperation. "We are advancing our relationship to the level of a major defense cooperation partnership, recognizing the strength and potential of our bilateral ties in this field," said U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a statement published on X.
The announcement reflects "the important role of Indonesia in promoting regional stability and highlights the strength and potential of the bilateral defense relationship."
The agreement is designed as a guiding framework for the development of bilateral defense cooperation. Through this announcement, both nations reaffirm their joint commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, as stated in the joint declaration.
Read the full analysis U.S. Containment of China - Major Military Cooperation Partnership with Indonesia, strategically positioned at the Strait of Malacca, through which 80% of China's oil passes on Curs de Guvernare