Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Indonesian Minister of DefenseSjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth established a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) during a high-level meeting at the Pentagon on Monday to bolster Indo-Pacific stability.

"Both leaders agreed to elevate the United States-Indonesia bilateral defense relationship to a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership," said Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell on Tuesday (14/4/2026)  regarding the diplomatic milestone as reported by antaranews.com.

The new framework focuses on three primary pillars: military modernization, professional education, and enhanced operational cooperation. This shift aims to deepen the complexity of joint exercises like Super Garuda Shield while addressing shared security interests across the region.

Furthermore, Secretary Hegseth praised Indonesia’s leadership in the international stabilization efforts in Gaza. 

(mg/inp/pr/rs)