Indonesia, France to Strengthen Strategic Cooperation in Defense Sector

President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrive in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday evening (5/27). (Photo by: BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat)

Indonesia and France will strengthen their strategic partnership in the defense sector through the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) on Wednesday (5/28), as part of President Macron’s state visit to Indonesia, according to Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

“The LoI will be signed tomorrow and aims to enhance cooperation in the defense sector between Indonesia and France, especially for strategic primary weapon systems (alutsista),” said the Defense Minister at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Tuesday (5/27).

Aside from the bilateral agenda at the Merdeka Palace, President Macron is also slated to visit the Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang, Central Java, to inspect the French language education facilities.

“President Macron will visit the French language laboratory (at Akmil), where the soldiers who will leave for France study and develop their proficiency in French,” explained the Minister of Defense.

President Macron, together with First Lady Brigitte Macron and his official delegation, arrived in Jakarta at around 22.00 Western Indonesia Time. President Macron’s delegation was welcomed by an honorary ceremony, which included the performance of the Nandak Ajer Dance as a symbol of Indonesia’s culture.

This visit marks a milestone in strengthening relations between the two countries, particularly in the field of defense. Cooperation in the defense sector is one of the many strategic cooperation between Indonesia and France. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of the Presidential Secretariat) (TCUD/MUR)