Indonesia’s Army Chief of Staff Meets with US Counterpart to Discuss Defense Cooperation
Arlington, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Army Chief of Staff, General Maruli Simanjuntak, met with his US counterpart, General Randy A. George, at the Pentagon early this week to discuss strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations. This marks General Maruli’s first official meeting with the US Army Chief of Staff since his inauguration by President Joko Widodo on November 29, 2023.
During the meeting, General Maruli and General George exchanged views on various areas of defense collaboration, including joint military exercises, military personnel exchange programs, and the exchange of knowledge related to the primary weaponry defense system (Alutsista), as noted in a press statement by the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) released on Tuesday.
General George reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Indonesia’s efforts to enhance its defense capabilities. He expressed high appreciation for the close cooperation between the US Army and TNI-AD, highlighting that this partnership not only benefits both countries but also significantly contributes to regional stability and security.
The meeting underscored ongoing military engagements between Indonesia and the United States. Recently, Indonesian Navy soldiers from the 1st Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Yontaifib) and US Marines concluded a series of reconnaissance and infiltration exercises under the “Reconnaissance Exchange” (Reconex) Joint Exercise 2024. These exercises, held from May 8-10, included long-range navigation and complete infiltration missions, enhancing operational coordination between the two forces.
Brigadier General Umar Farouq, Commander of Marine Troops (Danpasmar) 1, emphasized that joint training between the Indonesian and US Marine troops would continue beyond the 2024 Reconex. The Amphibious Reconnaissance soldiers practiced various combat skills, including infiltrating enemy areas, neutralizing targets, rescuing prisoners, and treating and evacuating casualties. The training also included long-range navigation and cross-surface infiltration techniques using rubber boats (seariders).
This meeting and the ongoing joint exercises reflect the robust defense relationship between Indonesia and the United States, aiming to bolster military readiness and regional security.