Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin spoke with United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to discuss bilateral cooperation and strengthening security in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to US Defense Department spokesman John Ullyot, the telephone conversation on Thursday (6/2) was an “introductory conversation” between the two defense ministers.
“The two ministers emphasized the importance of the bilateral defense partnership and expressed readiness to work together to facilitate defense cooperation,” Ullyot was quoted as saying in a written statement from the US Embassy in Jakarta on Saturday.
Ullyot said that Sjafrie and Hegseth reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to create a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. They also committed to strengthening cooperation in maintaining maritime security in the region.
On the same day, Sjafrie received US Ambassador to Indonesia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir. They discussed the international joint training Super Garuda Shield which is planned to be held this year.
Head of the Defense Information Bureau of the Secretariat General of the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General TNI Frega Wenas, said that Sjafrie and Lakhdhir discussed the Super Garuda Shield, which is considered an important event for participating countries to strengthen bilateral relations.
Frega said the two also discussed several other issues within the scope of Indonesia-US defense cooperation, including US President Donald Trump's "Pause Policy", training facilities in Baturaja, and increasing other defense capabilities for Indonesia.
Pete Hegseth was sworn in as US Secretary of Defense on January 25. He becomes Trump's second pick after Secretary of State Marco Rubio.