World

Indonesia made no commitment to US on airspace access, defence minister says

By Reuters Reuters
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin delivers remarks at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 13, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin delivers remarks at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 13, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Evelyn Hockstein Reuters

JAKARTA, May 19 - Indonesia's defence minister said on Tuesday that he signed a letter of intent with his American counterpart on granting access over Indonesian airspace to U.S. military aircraft during his visit to Washington last month, but no commitment was made.

Indonesia's foreign ministry warned the defence ministry in an letter in early April that an American proposal to give its military "blanket" permission ‌to fly over Indonesian territory risked entangling Jakarta in potential South China Sea conflicts, Reuters reported last month.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by David Stanway)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 9:20 PM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER