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View all search resultsIndonesia inches closer to destroyers after Koizumi meets Prabowo, Sjafrie
The commencement of discussions by the defense authorities of both countries to materialize the transfer of equipment including Asagiri-class destroyers will contribute to strengthening cooperation in the field of maritime security, Koizumi said.
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President Prabowo Subianto (left) exchanges a miniature ship as a memento with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on June 12, 2026, during a courtesy call at Prabowo's private residence on Jl. Kertanegara in South Jakarta. Koizumi also met his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to discuss various topics, including the transfer of Japanese Asagiri-class destroyers. (Courtesy of Defense Ministry/-)
J
apanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi paid a courtesy call on President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Friday and continued bilateral talks with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, including about the transfer of Asagiri-class destroyers.
During the meeting, Koizumi stated that “the commencement of discussions by the defense authorities of both countries, under the new framework for defense equipment transfer, to materialize the transfer of equipment including Asagiri-class destroyers would contribute to strengthening cooperation in the field of maritime security,” the Japanese Defense Ministry said in a press release issued on Saturday.
Koizumi and Sjafrie concurred “to advance discussions in the working group under their leadership and to work closely toward realizing comprehensive cooperation, including education and training, maintenance and sustainment and operational aspects and to report back to President Prabowo on the progress,” the release added.
Both Koizumi and Sjafrie have been involved in a shuttle diplomacy going back and forth between Jakarta and Tokyo to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.
Friday’s visit was Koizumi’s second visit in as many months, after he and Sjafrie met on May 3-4 and signed a new Defense Cooperation Arrangement (DCA). During the meeting, the Japanese offered Indonesia Mogami-class multi-mission stealth frigates and an unspecified class of submarines.
Meanwhile, Sjafrie had a meeting with Koizumi in Tokyo on June 5 when he “expressed his intention to materialize defense equipment and technology cooperation, including the transfer of Asagiri-class destroyers and other equipment,” the Japanese Defense Ministry said at that time.
Koizumi also noted that strengthening Indonesia’s maritime deterrence capabilities, as a country with vital sea lines of communication, would contribute to peace and stability in the region, including for Japan, and underscored the need to enhance cooperation in the field of maritime security.
