Indonesian Navy Seeks to Boost Defense Cooperation with French Navy
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) has initiated efforts to deepen military cooperation with the French Navy, as part of broader efforts to enhance Indonesia’s defense capabilities and strategic posture.
This initiative was marked by a high-level meeting between TNI-AL Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali and Chief of Staff of the French Navy Admiral Nicolas Vaujour in Paris on Tuesday, July 15. The meeting coincided with the Indonesian Navy’s participation in the 2025 Bastille Day celebrations, where Indonesian military and police personnel led a joint contingent in the prestigious parade along the Champs-Élysées.
In a press release issued in Jakarta on Wednesday, the TNI-AL emphasized that the engagement reflects a growing partnership between the two naval forces. The discussions focused on exploring new avenues for collaboration, including joint naval exercises and the prospective involvement of Indonesian naval officers in the 2026 Jeanne d’Arc voyage — a major French naval training deployment.
“The bilateral meeting covered feasible ways to strengthen cooperation, including joint drills and the participation of TNI-AL officers in the 2026 Jeanne d’Arc voyage,” said Commodore Tunggul, Head of the Indonesian Navy’s Information Office.
Commodore Tunggul also noted that both sides discussed the possibility of personnel exchanges for educational and training purposes, underscoring a shared commitment to capacity building and interoperability.
The TNI-AL expressed optimism that the talks would pave the way for broader, mutually beneficial cooperation and contribute to the overall strengthening of Indonesia–France defense relations.
