Indonesia, Australia Plan Multi-Nation Security Partnership with Japan, Papua New Guinea

Indonesia's Defense Minister announced plans to broaden security cooperation with Australia to include Japan and Papua New Guinea in separate trilateral arrangements. The expansion follows a security treaty signed between Indonesia and Australia last month that requires mutual consultation on threats.

JAKARTA, March 12 – Following discussions with his Australian counterpart, Indonesia’s Defense Minister revealed plans Thursday to broaden bilateral security cooperation into multiple trilateral partnerships involving Japan and Papua New Guinea.

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced the formation of two separate three-nation security frameworks – one linking Indonesia, Australia and Japan, and another connecting Indonesia, Australia and Papua New Guinea. The announcement came after meetings with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles.

This expansion builds upon a security agreement signed by Indonesian and Australian leaders last month, which established a commitment for both nations to engage in consultations when either faces security threats.

According to Sjamsoeddin, the two countries will collaborate on intelligence operations, though he declined to elaborate on specific details of this cooperation.

The ministers also explored the potential development of a military training center on Morotai island in North Maluku, with proposals to enhance current defense infrastructure there. “We will work together to improve and utilise it,” Sjamsoeddin stated.

The planned Morotai facility would accommodate military personnel from multiple nations including the Philippines, Australia and Singapore, alongside another training center under development in North Kalimantan in partnership with Singapore.

Regarding international peacekeeping efforts, Sjamsoeddin indicated Indonesia’s willingness to contribute forces to an international security mission in Gaza, contingent upon developments involving U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and the evolving Middle East situation.

While Indonesia initially prepared to deploy 20,000 troops, the country has adjusted its commitment to 8,000 personnel to be deployed in stages, responding to commitments from other participating nations to contribute smaller contingents numbering in the hundreds.

“The president has instructed us to prepare our troops, and we are ready to act, but we are awaiting developments from the BOP. I cannot confirm anything yet because the situation is very dynamic,” Sjamsoeddin explained.