In Indonesia, leaked plan for US military overflights triggers sovereignty row

A leaked plan proposing broad US military overflight access to Indonesian airspace has sparked controversy in Indonesia. The proposal, reportedly stemming from a February meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and then-US President Donald Trump, would grant the US military "blanket" overflight rights for contingency operations, crisis response, and joint exercises. The leaked defense document, first reported by the Sunday Guardian, has triggered concerns that Indonesia is compromising its strategic independence. Critics fear the agreement could be interpreted as Indonesia taking sides in US-Iran tensions. The backlash highlights sensitivities surrounding national sovereignty and foreign military involvement in the region.

The United States and Indonesia have established a "major defense cooperation partnership," signed at the Pentagon by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indonesian Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The agreement aims to strengthen the security relationship between the two countries, bolster regional deterrence, and advance shared commitments to peace in the Asia Pacific. The partnership includes co-developing advanced defense technologies in maritime, subsurface, and autonomous systems, as well as improving operational readiness. This development follows reports that the US is seeking overflight access for its military aircraft through Indonesian airspace, a proposal reportedly approved by the Indonesian President. Both countries participate in over 170 military exercises annually.