Indonesia expands defense partnerships with Qatar and France

Indonesia's Ministry of Defense signed a statement of intent with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister for Defense, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdurrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, to deepen military and defence‑industry cooperation. The agreement, following a 2021 letter of intent, envisions joint combat training, soldier exchanges and collaborative defence‑industry projects, though specific procurement details remain undefined.

Analysts note that Indonesia is also deepening ties with France, moving beyond a simple buyer‑seller relationship toward a broader strategic partnership that includes technology transfer and regional geopolitical considerations. This multi‑pole defence diplomacy is seen as part of Jakarta's effort to strengthen its strategic position in the Indo‑Pacific amid heightened U.S.–China rivalry.