India-Indonesia Defence Ties Strengthen Amid Regional Security Shifts

Jakarta and New Delhi Deepen Strategic Cooperation During President Prabowo’s Visit

New Delhi, February 12, 2025 – The defence and security partnership between India and Indonesia received a significant boost during the State Visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto from January 23–26, 2025. As the Chief Guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations, President Subianto’s visit underscored the growing defence collaboration between the two nations. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Indonesian Navy Chief Admiral Muhammad Ali, the visit featured discussions with Indian Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, aimed at reinforcing maritime security cooperation.

The visit followed Admiral Tripathi’s four-day official trip to Indonesia in December 2024, signaling sustained engagement at the highest levels. Despite their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2018, both nations acknowledge that their defence relationship remains underdeveloped and holds untapped potential.

Key Defence Agreements and Institutional Strengthening

At the core of recent advancements is the ratification of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA), originally signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2018 visit to Jakarta. Both leaders emphasized the need for regular high-level defence engagements and agreed to convene a Defence Ministers’ meeting soon to ensure effective implementation of the DCA. Notably, President Subianto committed to sending a high-level delegation to India in the coming months to further defence collaboration.

Additionally, India and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC), established in 2001 to enhance defence industry collaboration. The 7th JDCC meeting in New Delhi on May 3, 2024, reviewed progress in defence manufacturing and technology exchange. Indonesian Defence Ministry Secretary-General Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto visited the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) headquarters, engaging with Indian private sector defence firms to explore joint production initiatives.

Maritime Security and Strategic Importance for the Region

Maritime security remains a critical pillar of India-Indonesia defence cooperation, particularly given their shared concerns over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Both nations renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Maritime Safety and Security Cooperation, first signed in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement enhances real-time intelligence sharing, counter-piracy operations, and joint search-and-rescue missions between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indonesia’s BAKAMLA (Maritime Security Agency).

A major development from the visit was Indonesia’s decision to post an International Liaison Officer at India’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram. This move is expected to improve operational coordination in tackling challenges such as illegal fishing, smuggling, and maritime terrorism.

Geopolitical Implications for India, China, and Southeast Asia

India’s deepening security cooperation with Indonesia carries significant regional implications. Both countries, as maritime democracies, share concerns over China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea and strategic chokepoints like the Malacca Strait. Indonesia, while officially not a claimant in the South China Sea disputes, has faced repeated incursions by Chinese fishing vessels and coast guard ships into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Natuna Islands. Strengthening defence ties with India provides Jakarta with additional leverage in managing regional security threats.

For India, a stronger defence partnership with Indonesia bolsters its Act East Policy, enhances its naval footprint in the Indo-Pacific, and reinforces its role as a net security provider in the region. This cooperation also aligns with India’s broader strategy of countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and securing vital sea lanes of communication that facilitate its trade and energy imports.

Indonesia’s expanding defence relations with Turkey further highlight its intent to diversify its security partnerships. The recent Jakarta-Ankara agreement on joint drone production and counterterrorism cooperation signals Indonesia’s growing defence ambitions and reflects a broader trend of emerging powers forging independent security ties beyond traditional alliances.

Aero India 2025: India’s Defence Innovation Push

Against the backdrop of increasing regional security cooperation, India showcased its defence manufacturing capabilities at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru. The event witnessed record participation from 931 global and domestic exhibitors, including leading aerospace firms such as GE Aerospace, Safran, Leonardo S.p.A., Dassault Aviation, and BAE Systems.

Notably, Bengaluru-based startup Scandron unveiled India’s most powerful cargo drone, the CargoMax 20KHC, capable of carrying a 200kg payload. This aligns with India’s goal of leveraging indigenous UAV technology for military logistics and disaster relief operations.

India’s Path to Self-Reliance in Defence

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized India’s commitment to defence self-reliance, highlighting that nearly 70% of India’s defence equipment is now domestically manufactured, compared to a decade ago when 70% was imported.

Singh underscored the transformational shift in India’s defence industrial ecosystem, with 16 Defence PSUs, 430 licensed companies, and 16,000 MSMEs now actively contributing to the sector. India’s growing defence exports—including BrahMos missiles and Akash air defence systems—demonstrate the country’s rising status as a global defence manufacturer.

A New Era in Regional Security

India and Indonesia’s deepening defence engagement reflects a broader recalibration of security alliances in the Indo-Pacific. As China’s influence grows and regional powers seek to fortify their defence capabilities, New Delhi and Jakarta are well-positioned to play pivotal roles in maintaining regional stability.

The partnership is not just about military cooperation—it signifies a shared vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. With both countries ramping up defence industry collaboration, maritime security coordination, and high-level political engagements, the India-Indonesia relationship is set to reach new heights in the coming years.

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