Indonesia’s Defence Minister Meets Pakistan’s Army Chief, Pledges Expanded Defence Cooperation

Indonesia’s Defence Minister, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), on Monday called on Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, underscoring growing defence engagement between Pakistan and Indonesia.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the meeting focused on issues of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and the exploration of concrete avenues to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation.

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 12 January, 2026

Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), Minister of Defence of the Republic of #Indonesia, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, #COAS & CDF, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi, #Pakistan

The meeting focused on… pic.twitter.com/lZwRnwDVAm

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 12, 2026

Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional linkages between the armed forces of both countries, expanding professional military education and training exchanges, and deepening collaboration in the defence industrial sector. Officials noted that such cooperation is increasingly relevant as both countries face complex security challenges ranging from terrorism and maritime security to emerging non-traditional threats.

The Indonesian defence minister praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He also expressed Jakarta’s strong desire to broaden defence ties with Pakistan across multiple domains, including training, joint exercises, defence production, and technology cooperation.

Pakistan and Indonesia share a long history of friendly relations rooted in common values, shared perspectives on regional stability, and cooperation within multilateral forums. Defence ties between the two countries have steadily expanded in recent years, with Pakistan emerging as a key defence partner for Indonesia, particularly in the areas of military training and defence exports.

Defence analysts note that Pakistan’s growing defence industrial base—including aircraft, naval platforms, and land systems—offers Indonesia cost-effective options for military modernisation, while Indonesia’s experience in maritime security and archipelagic defence presents opportunities for knowledge-sharing and joint initiatives.

During the meeting, Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to building a strong, enduring, and forward-looking defence relationship with Indonesia. He emphasised that cooperation would continue to be guided by mutual respect, shared strategic interests, and a common desire to contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

The engagement reflects Pakistan’s broader defence diplomacy efforts aimed at strengthening ties with key partners in Southeast Asia, while Indonesia continues to diversify its defence partnerships amid shifting regional security dynamics.