Hegseth Pitches ASEAN Security Framework as Indonesia Flexes Military Ties with China
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth proposed a new defense cooperation framework with Southeast Asian nations on Wednesday in Cebu, Philippines, calling for closer maritime cooperation and stronger regional militaries capable of defending their sovereignty. “Serious partners train together, learn together, plan together, and build the confidence and competence necessary to prevent conflict,” Hegseth told ASEAN defense ministers, according to a Voice of America (VOA) report.
The proposal arrived amid a complex diplomatic balancing act in Jakarta. Just a day prior to Hegseth’s address, Chinese and Indonesian troops officially launched their “Sharp Knife 2026” joint army training in Guangzhou, an exercise scheduled to run through early November. For Indonesia, managing dual military engagements with both powers highlights a deliberate strategy to maintain balanced relationships while expanding its own defense capabilities.
Describing Washington’s regional posture as “strong, quiet and clear,” Hegseth emphasized that the United States aims to deter coercion without forcing unnecessary escalation. While acknowledging that Washington and its Southeast Asian partners will not see eye to eye on every issue, he stressed that baseline alignment is sufficient for practical cooperation. “We’re not going to agree on everything, nor do we need to,” Hegseth said. “But an agreement on the fundamentals is enough to support practical cooperation where our shared interests are overlapping and are clear, and that’s the type of cooperation the Department of War will continue to pursue with our ASEAN partners.”
Balancing Acts and Dual Engagements in Jakarta
Indonesia’s simultaneous military exercises with Beijing and its deepening security partnership with Washington demonstrate a pragmatic foreign policy. Lin Ying-yu, a scholar of international affairs and strategic studies at Taiwan’s Tamkang University, told VOA that Jakarta views security cooperation with China primarily through the lens of counterterrorism and nontraditional security challenges.
Pentagon chief proposes ‘ambitious’ defense cooperation with ASEANISTANBUL – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday called for an “ambitious” defense cooperation framework with the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).Calling the 50th anniversary… pic.twitter.com/mIkcVxJh1f
According to China’s Defense Ministry, troops participating in the “Sharp Knife 2026” drills are organized into mixed formations to execute tactical coordination, reconnaissance, communications, unmanned systems operations, sniping, and counterterrorism drills. Beijing characterizes the maneuvers as a scheduled military exchange aimed at upgrading combat-oriented training. However, Lin Ying-yu noted that Beijing values Indonesia’s regional influence to counter the Philippines amid persistent disputes in the South China Sea.
Simultaneously, Jakarta continues to institutionalize its longstanding defense architecture with the United States. In April, Hegseth and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin formalized a Major Defense Cooperation Partnership. That agreement lays the groundwork for exploring advanced asymmetric capabilities—spanning maritime, undersea, and autonomous systems—alongside expanded special forces training and readiness initiatives.
Reacting to the simultaneous China-Indonesia drills, a State Department spokesman reaffirmed that security cooperation with Jakarta remains a core pillar of the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “Indonesia and the United States share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including a commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea,” the spokesman stated, adding a warning that “China should not exploit military cooperation with Indonesia to advance Beijing’s ambitions to dominate Southeast Asia politically, militarily, and economically.”
Hegseth Proposes Broader Regional Architecture for Bilateral Efforts
Looking toward the horizon, Hegseth’s Wednesday proposal seeks to institutionalize these bilateral efforts into a broader regional architecture. Pointing toward the upcoming 50th anniversary of formal U.S.-ASEAN relations next year, he urged member states to build “a practical framework that guides our cooperation over the next several years.” Priority areas include maritime domain awareness, military interoperability, and naval cooperation. Washington indicated it is prepared to commence this groundwork with Singapore as that nation assumes the chairmanship of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
Friction meanwhile persisted at the regional gathering in Cebu, which concluded on Thursday against the backdrop of strained relations between Beijing and Manila. China accused an unnamed Philippine politician of obstructing its participation at the summit. In contrast, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro maintained that Beijing had been properly invited and given the floor to present its views, though China ultimately dispatched a military attaché rather than its defense minister, Reuters reported.
Closer to home, these shifting alignments have drawn sharp scrutiny across the Taiwan Strait. In August, Beijing announced naval exercises with Indonesia situated east of Taiwan, triggering condemnation from Taipei. Jakarta countered that the activity represented routine passing exercises rather than war-fighting drills. As Washington attempts to solidify its security framework heading into next year’s milestone anniversary, the pragmatic balancing acts of Southeast Asian capitals will continue to test the boundaries of great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific.
