Maritime Security Partnership Between Indonesia And The US Falls Short Of Its Full Potential

In November of last year, Indonesia and the United States officially elevated their diplomatic ties to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). This upgraded status provided both nations with opportunities for extensive strategic cooperation, particularly in security.

However, the CSP did not entirely align with the current reality of Indonesia-US strategic relations, prompting the need for further enhancement, particularly in addressing disruptive maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Several defense pacts were established between the two countries before the CSP agreement. Notably, Lockheed Martin, a prominent U.S. arms corporation, agreed to supply 24 S-70 Blackhawk helicopters to the Indonesian Army, following the earlier sale of F-15EX aircraft.

The CSP is anticipated to bolster Indonesia’s standing within the U.S. regional framework, potentially leading to more advanced arms transfers in the future. This mutually beneficial arrangement strengthens the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing its image as a regional player supportive of the dynamics within ASEAN member states.

Despite these developments, a more comprehensive geopolitical engagement is essential, especially given the escalating maritime security concerns in the South China Sea. Recent provocations by the Chinese Coast Guard against the Philippines Coast Guard underscore the urgency of prioritizing maritime security. Both Indonesia and the U.S. should increase their collaborative efforts in this area in the coming year.

Historically, arms procurement has dominated Indonesia-US strategic ties, with U.S. arms exports to Indonesia exceeding $3.1 billion from 1950 to 2022.

However, a more substantial defense partnership, particularly in maritime security, is yet to materialize fully. Although several arms procurement agreements have been established, technological transfer agreements have resulted in minimal offsets, such as maintenance training.

In the realm of naval modernization, the U.S. has not been the primary consideration for Indonesia, as evidenced by the preference for deals with the United Kingdom and Italy in warship procurement.

The U.S.’s reluctance to provide advanced naval technology to non-formal allies is cited as one reason for this preference. Despite the upgraded relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Indonesia-US cooperation in maritime security still lacks a substantive framework.

Comparatively, Vietnam and the Philippines have been actively engaged in joint capacity building in maritime security, with Vietnam having a bilateral framework for naval cooperation with the U.S. since 2007. In contrast, Indonesia’s maritime engagement with the U.S. remains limited, with the most significant project being establishing the Indonesia-US Maritime Training Center in Batam in 2021.

While the Indo-Pacific’s maritime sector gains increasing importance, inter-military engagement between Indonesia and the U.S. remains predominantly land-focused. The most extensive joint military exercise, Super Garuda Shield, involves mainly ground forces, and the recent Keris Marine Exercise (MAREX) marked the first marine exercise between the two nations but did not include significant naval assets.

Specific maritime commitments, such as the development of a forward operation base (FOB) at Ranai, Natuna Besar Island, have faced delays, and discussions on project continuity have been absent from recent bilateral meetings.

Additionally, the Maritime Security Joint Work Plan, a $5 million U.S. initiative to support Indonesia’s maritime law enforcement, lacks detailed explanations and faces uncertainties in short-term implementation.

While the CSP joint statement acknowledges a shared vision of the Indo-Pacific, tangible progress is limited to the initiation of a new defense and security dialogue, a step regularly taken by Vietnam and the Philippines. The Maritime Security Joint Work Plan, despite its $5 million pledge, remains vaguely explained and may face challenges in immediate implementation.

In summary, although Indonesia and the U.S. have achieved a strategic-level relationship across various sectors, including defense and security, their engagement in maritime security lags behind that of other Southeast Asian countries.

Strengthening maritime ties is crucial to comprehensively elevate the Indonesia-US defense partnership, enhancing Indonesia’s naval capabilities and solidifying the U.S.’ regional position as an inclusive strategic partner for every Southeast Asian state.