JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin welcomed H.E. Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, during an official visit to the Ministry of Defense office in Jakarta. On Tuesday, February 25, 2025

The meeting marked a significant step forward in deepening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Russia, particularly in the areas of defense and technological cooperation.

During the meeting, Minister Sjafrie expressed Indonesia’s appreciation for Russia’s consistent support and long-standing partnership. He emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding and collaboration across various sectors, especially in security and defense. The Indonesian side views Russia as a key partner in regional and global stability.

“I look forward to further deepening our defense cooperation and exploring new opportunities for collaboration. Together, we can confront shared security challenges and contribute to global peace and stability,” said Minister Sjafrie during the discussions.

He also underlined the importance of building strong people-to-people connections beyond formal state relations. According to Sjafrie, these grassroots relationships are vital in strengthening cooperation at the unit and operational levels within the military of both countries.

A major focus of the meeting was exploring opportunities for enhanced collaboration in military technology. Both sides acknowledged the strategic benefits of sharing technological expertise and advancing military modernization efforts through joint projects and knowledge exchange.

To institutionalize this cooperation, Indonesia and Russia will activate the Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation. This forum will serve as the main platform for discussing ongoing and future joint initiatives, allowing both nations to align their strategic defense goals more closely.

In addition to military-technical talks, the two countries agreed to hold a consultation forum to coordinate plans for bilateral military activities in 2025. This consultation is expected to streamline planning and implementation of various defense programs.

As part of the forward-looking approach, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense plans to send a delegation to Russia in the near future to initiate discussions on expanding defense cooperation for 2026. This initiative aims to maintain the momentum of dialogue and collaborative efforts already underway.

The meeting was also attended by several high-ranking Indonesian defense officials, including the Deputy Minister of Defense, the Secretary General of the Ministry, the Inspector General, and the Director General of Defense Strategy. Their presence underscores Indonesia’s strong commitment to enhancing its defense ties with Russia. (Uki Ruknuddin)