French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to Indonesia on 10th June 2025, marks a watershed moment in the evolving bilateral relationship between Paris and Jakarta. In a meeting with newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a resilient and multifaceted strategic partnership. The visit, centred on defence, educational collaboration, and joint geopolitical initiatives, underscores France’s intention to be a steadfast partner in the Indo-Pacific and Indonesia’s rising role as a regional power.
Forging a Strategic Indo-Pacific Alliance
President Macron’s visit was widely seen as a strategic manoeuvre to reinforce France’s position in the Indo-Pacific. The two presidents presided over the signing of 15 bilateral agreements encompassing sectors such as defence, trade, agriculture, culture, and critical minerals. Among the most notable was a letter of intent signalling the potential for further defence procurement, including Scorpène-class submarines, Rafale fighter jets, and light frigates—expanding on the landmark $8.1 billion agreement signed in 2022.
The burgeoning defence relationship between France and Indonesia is aimed at both modernising Indonesia’s armed forces and strengthening regional deterrence capacities. With France supplying advanced military hardware and systems, the partnership enhances Indonesia’s ability to assert its sovereignty, particularly in contested maritime regions like the South China Sea.
A Visit to SMA Taruna Nusantara: Investing in the Future
A symbolic and strategic element of Macron’s visit was his stop at SMA Taruna Nusantara, an elite Indonesian military academy located in Magelang, Central Java. Accompanied by President Prabowo, Macron met with future Indonesian military leaders, underlining the vital role of defence education and leadership development. This visit illustrates that the France-Indonesia strategic partnership is not solely grounded in arms sales but also in capacity building and human resource development. Educational exchanges and joint training initiatives are expected to strengthen institutional ties between the two militaries and lay the groundwork for sustained collaboration in defence and security.
Defense Cooperation and the Indo-Pacific Security Architecture
France’s military presence and diplomatic engagement offer regional actors an alternative to dependency on dominant powers. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s geographic and political weight positions it as a key player in shaping the region’s future security landscape.
The expanded defence ties serve multiple functions: enhancing Indonesia’s deterrence capabilities and contributing to a more multipolar regional order. With the sale of Rafale jets and Scorpène submarines, Jakarta gains access to advanced platforms that strengthen air and naval power projection. France, for its part, positions itself as a credible and consistent European presence in the Indo-Pacific, leveraging historic ties and modern strategic interests to promote regional stability.
A Strategic Partnership for a Multipolar World
As regional dynamics shift, the France-Indonesia partnership exemplifies the value of strategic cooperation between middle powers. By combining military modernisation, educational collaboration, and diplomatic coordination, the two nations are building a durable alliance suited for the complexities of 21st-century geopolitics. President Macron’s visit, including his engagement with Indonesia’s future military leaders and the signing of comprehensive agreements, reinforces the message that France sees Indonesia as a cornerstone of its Indo-Pacific strategy. Likewise, Indonesia sees France as a dependable partner in navigating regional security challenges and asserting its strategic autonomy.
A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
The Macron-Prabowo summit in Jakarta represents more than just diplomatic symbolism—it is a tangible step toward a deeper and more strategic bilateral relationship. France and Indonesia are demonstrating how constructive engagement, rooted in mutual respect and shared interests, can shape a more stable, secure, and multipolar Indo-Pacific. As both nations continue to invest in defence ties, educational partnerships, and joint diplomatic efforts, their relationship is poised to influence not just regional power balances, but also the global narrative on cooperation, sovereignty, and peace. The future of the Indo-Pacific may well depend on the combined efforts of nations like France and Indonesia—nations willing to build coalitions that transcend traditional alliances and offer new pathways for security and development.
