Indonesia | The Runway

Indonesia and Australia are close neighbours with a wide-ranging bilateral relationship, sharing a maritime border and deep economic, security, and people-to-people ties. Indonesia and Australia are committed to maintaining a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific.
In Nov 2025, Australia and Indonesia agreed to a bi-lateral security agreement. Indonesia doesn’t have an agreement like this with any other country.
This collection explores influences on the relationship and the many ways both countries cooperate including: - counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security, transnational crime, joint exercises, personnel exchanges, and training.

Air & Space Power

Indonesian T-50i Golden Eagle combat aircraft debut at Exercise Pitch Black

The deployment to northern Australia provides practical exposure to coalition air operations while deepening bilateral defence cooperation, demonstrating how multinational exercises build interoperability and operational understanding. South Korean and Indonesian made aircraft.

Hercules lands at Vientiane, Laos.

Military Management

Indonesia, Hercules maintenance, and the neutrality question

Indonesia is considering becoming a regional Hercules maintenance hub. However, infrastructure built for cooperation during peacetime may create unexpected political risks during regional crises—especially when support systems become tied to broader strategic competition.

Indonesian frigate KRI Diponegoro with HMAS Sirius.

Strategic Influence

Indonesia Navy takes the up-ramp

The acquisition of retired Italian helicopter carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi has been approved, massively improving capability but creating skill and workforce issues. Likely to operate helicopters and unmanned systems; joins a newly commissioned former Italian frigate.

Strategic Influence

Indonesia’s sea lanes give it overlooked leverage over China

Indonesia controls vital sea lanes that China depends on for trade and energy. This gives Jakarta quiet leverage; firm actions at sea need not threaten economic ties and could shape behaviour during future regional crises.

Australian Army soldiers with soldiers from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, at the Urban Operations Training

Strategic Influence

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signs security treaty with Indonesia

The formalised, renewed security pact signals closer consultation and shared intent—more a statement of trust and regional stability than a binding promise of joint action. Closely mirrors the abandoned 1995 pact. Indonesia remains non-aligned

Strategic Influence

Indonesia’s new trade imperative is storytelling

Trade deals now rise or fall on trust. Facts alone are not enough. Clear stories matter. Shared narratives build consent—without them, agreements face backlash, distortion, and slow erosion, even when the economics are sound.

Strategic Influence

China raises the cost of Indonesia’s neutrality

China is steadily shaping Indonesia’s development choices—making neutrality harder to sustain—by linking growth, finance and political recognition in ways that quietly raise the cost of resisting Beijing’s core interests.

Strategic Influence

The Australia-Indonesia pact won’t shift the regional balance

Australia and Indonesia have agreed to consult on security challenges and explore joint responses—strengthening regional ties and strategic awareness—but broader geopolitical trends mean risks from other powers remain significant.

Strategic Influence

Timor-Leste: to join the ASEAN neighbourhood, start with the house next door

Timor-Leste’s new place in Southeast Asia will only deliver real gains if Indonesia strengthens direct links between the two neighbours — faster travel and trade routes could smooth Timor-Leste’s path into the wider region.

Strategic Influence

Adding a fighter type is not the answer to Indonesia’s defence needs

The potential purchase of China’s J-10 fighters may worsen deterrence. Adding more aircraft types increases maintenance, training, and logistical burdens. This highlights Indonesia’s Air Force limits and the strategic trade-offs in regional airpower.

Richard Marles MP, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Prabowo Subianto and Anthony Albanese MP on HMAS Canberra

Strategic Influence

Australia and Indonesia strike landmark security treaty

The Treaty commits both nations to mutual consultation when either country is threatened and builds on last year’s defence cooperation agreement. Leaders emphasised trust, friendship, and regional stability. To be signed formally in Jakarta in January.

Personnel from HMAS Hobart prepare to salute Indonesian Navy Hospital Ship Dr Radjiman W.-992, during the Indonesian International Fleet Review 2025, off the coast of Bali, Indonesia.

Strategic Influence

Indonesia’s hospital ships are powerful tools of diplomacy

Indonesia is the only SE Asian country operating dedicated, dual-use capability hospital ships—India and the UK don’t. The ships epitomise soft power, resilience, and the ability to respond to crises at home and abroad.

Ground crew conduct a pre-flight check on an Indonesian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft prior to departure during Exercise ELANG AUSINDO, Indonesia, 2025.

Strategic Influence

Indonesia’s military reorganisation is its biggest this century

The restructure expands territorial commands, modernises equipment, and invests in cyber resilience—strengthening security while maintaining non-alignment. Closer ties with local communities, as well as Kaan and Rafale fighters, and Scorpene submarines, ordered.

RAAF F-35A Lightning II taxis past the Indonesian Air Force Jupiter Aerobatic Team at Bali International Air Show 2024

Strategic Influence

A Studiously Ignored Problem: Force Projected from Australia Must Go Through Indonesia

Indonesia prioritises strategic autonomy, not alliances and may resist entanglement in future conflicts. Strategic plans relying on regional access are vulnerable without assured cooperation —long-term effectiveness depends on high-level engagement, trust-building, and regional diplomatic groundwork.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon. Richard Marles MP receives a Guard of Honour on arrival for a meeting with H.E. LTGEN (Ret) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia

Strategic Influence

The Real Message Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto Delivered to China’s Li Qiang

Indonesia is carefully managing ties with major powers—balancing economic interests with diplomatic flexibility—while maintaining autonomy amid growing regional competition and domestic political considerations. Security cooperation agreements were renewed with China, despite maritime tensions.

Commander Air Mobility Group, Air Commodore Bradley Clarke, CSC, OAM signs the sister squadron agreement alongside 1st Wing Commander Colonel Beny Aprianto, S.M

Strategic Influence

Indonesia is more important than ever: Australia must nurture the relationship

Indonesia’s BRICS (Brazil, Rusia, India, China, South Africa) alignment signals a broader global shift. Australia’s waning influence in Indonesia demands urgent, targeted engagement. AUKUS created long-term unease in Indonesia. Defence and diplomacy must work in tandem.

Australian Army soldiers and an Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, move in land after an amphibious assault during Exercise Keris Woomera 2024 at Banongan Beach, Indonesia.

Strategic Influence

Climate risks to security in the Indo-Pacific: Indonesia in 2035

Australia may have underestimated the effects of climate change on Indonesian economy and security interests. Severe food insecurity, widespread population displacement, and slow economic growth are ways that Indonesia may experience climate disruptions.

Strategic Influence

Indonesia–Australia Defence Cooperation Under Prabowo

Australia is Indonesia’s second-most important defence partner. Building a strong partnership requires trust—addressing historical concerns including Timor Leste and perceived Australian support for separatists important. Maritime security and defence industry collaboration a shared priority.

Strategic Influence

Indonesia needs to improve its seabed warfare capability

Indonesia’s dependence on underwater infrastructure makes it vulnerable to sabotage, impacting the region. Its defence capabilities remain limited for its size. Increased training, global cooperation, and multinational seabed warfare exercises are essential for security.

Strategic Influence

Australia Set to Sign a New Defence Pact with Indonesia by End of the Month

The upcoming Australia-Indonesia defence pact will enhance bilateral security ties but remains within Indonesia’s non-aligned stance. This agreement signals strategic alignment without compromising Indonesia’s broader foreign policy independence.

Strategic Influence

The time has come for an Australia Indonesia military pact

Indonesia matters to Australia and the ADF. It’s our closest SE neighbour, with a growing economy, 280 million population and expanding defence program.

Technology & Innovation

Progress on French-Indonesian sub deal

Indonesia will construct two advanced Scorpène Evolved submarines domestically, utilising international cooperation.

Strategic Influence

He won Indonesia’s election in a landslide. Now, backroom meetings and horse-trading will determine whether Prabowo can govern

President Prabowo Subianto must build coalitions in a fragmented parliament to govern effectively and implement his agenda.

Strategic Influence

‘Hodgepodge of tech’: What makes Indonesia’s naval buildup vulnerable?

Its Minimum Essential Force plan calls for a 274-ship green-water fleet, ten fighter squadrons and 12 new diesel-electric submarines.

Strategic Influence

Widodo’s defence budget won’t give Indonesia the force it needs

Indonesia’s Defence Ministry appears to have been the big winner in this year’s negotiations on the 2023 budget—but at least one prominent Indonesian defence commentator says more needs to be spent on defence.

A Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) (Indonesian National Armed Forces) C-130H aircraft carrying TNI members, who assisted during Operation Bushfire Assist, takes-off from RAAF Base Richmond.

Strategic Influence

Indonesia standing between great powers

This article argues that non-aligned Indonesia will continue a middle course between the US and China because it doesn’t want to alienate either.

United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, viewing islands of the South West Pacific nation of Tuvalu from the ramp of a No. 35 Squadron C-27J Spartan.

Technology & Innovation

Australia-Indonesia and Climate Change.

By making our renewable energy expertise available to Indonesia, Australia has a unique opportunity to enhance our vital relationship with Indonesia.

Indonesian Navy officers listen to a United States Navy sailor talk about the amphibious capabilities of the USS Ashland during a tour of the ship while alongside in Darwin, Northern Territory, as part of Exercise Crocodile Response 2022.

Strategic Influence

After years in planning, US gets serious about strategic dialogue with Indonesia.

The US giving priority to its relationship with Indonesia, which is good news for Australia.

A Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) (Indonesian National Armed Forces) C-130H aircraft carrying TNI members, who assisted during Operation Bushfire Assist, takes-off from RAAF Base Richmond.

Strategic Influence

Pompeo hits some bum notes in Indonesia

To develop a meaningful relationship with Indonesia, both Australia and the US need cultural sensitivity and a good understanding of Indonesian domestic issues and concerns.