Indonesia, U.S. widen defense cooperation as 12 armored vehicles arrive
The MDCP 2026 partnership also covers officer education, major drills such as RIMPAC, and a target of 105 amphibious vehicles for Marines.
Indonesia and the United States are expanding defense cooperation under the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) 2026, which covers military education, joint exercises and defense equipment modernization. One concrete result already underway is the arrival of 12 AAV M-35 amphibious combat vehicles for the TNI AL Marines from a planned total of 105 units, with deliveries to continue in stages through 2028. Indonesia's defense attaché in Washington, Marsekal Pertama TNI Yose Ridha, said the partnership signed on 13 April 2026 also opens access for TNI officers to institutions such as the US National Defense University and West Point. Exercises covered by the cooperation include Super Garuda Shield 2026, RIMPAC in Hawaii, Cope West, Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo and Keris-MAREX.