Indonesia, Russia seek to deepen defense cooperation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia aims to strengthen defense cooperation with Russia across various sectors, including the defense industry, as representatives from the two countries met in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The cooperation was discussed during a meeting between Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), Mikhail V Petukhov, at the ministry office in Jakarta.

"The meeting marks an important opportunity to strengthen Indonesia-Russia friendship and strategic partnership spanning decades," Sjamsoeddin said after the meeting on his social media on Wednesday.

He said the two sides discussed various aspects of defense cooperation, with an emphasis on the defense industry.

The cooperation, he said, is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's commitment to strengthen Indonesia's defense capability through international cooperation.

"Our defense cooperation should be mutually beneficial while respecting Indonesia's free and active foreign policy, national sovereignty, and contributing to global peace and stability," Sjamsoeddin said.

The minister also expressed hope that the meeting will provide a strong foundation for Indonesia and Russia to strengthen a mutually beneficial military partnership in the future.

On September 22, Sjamsoeddin received Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov and discussed ways to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

At that time, Minister Sjamsoeddin and Ambassador Tolchenov discussed various forms of military cooperation, including personnel exchanges, joint exercises, special forces training, and military medicine.

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Translator: Walda Marison, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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