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Indonesia Cautions on US Overflight Proposal

Article by J. Salazar

Published on April 19, 2026 7:20AM


JAKARTA — Indonesia's foreign ministry warned its defense ministry via an early-April confidential letter against granting the US military "blanket" overflight rights over Indonesian territory, citing risks of entanglement in South China Sea conflicts. ¹ ³ ⁶


The urgent memo, sent before Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin's April 13 meeting with US counterpart Pete Hegseth in Washington, urged delaying any deal that could portray Indonesia as allied with Washington and make it a regional target. ¹ ³ It highlighted 18 prior US surveillance flights violating Indonesian airspace from January 2024 to April 2025, potentially straining ties with China and others. ³ ⁵


While the two (2) nations agreed on a defense cooperation partnership, the Pentagon statement omitted overflights, though sources indicated private talks may have occurred. ¹ ³ Indonesia's defense ministry confirmed reviewing a non-binding draft Letter of Intent, prioritizing sovereignty. ² No final agreement was signed, reflecting foreign ministry influence. ³ ⁷

__________________________________________ Notes:

² US, Indonesia discussing proposal allowing US military overflight in ... https://www.arabnews.com/node/2639731/world




⁵ Indonesia's foreign ministry urges caution over U.S. military overflight proposal https://www.investing.com/news/world-news/indonesias-foreign-ministry-urges-caution-over-us-military-overflight-proposal-4611898


⁶ Proposal of US overflight in Indonesian airspace sparks ministerial rift https://asianews.network/proposal-of-us-overflight-in-indonesian-airspace-sparks-ministerial-rift/


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