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Indonesian President Joko Widodo is scheduled to visit Australia in early July as part of the 8th Australia-Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
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The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that the two national leaders will discuss a range of jointly important policy areas, including the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, improving commercial and economic opportunities, and climate change.
“I am delighted to welcome my friend President Widodo to Australia. This will be our fourth meeting together,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
The Prime Minister confirmed that Australia would support Indonesia’s priorities as the chair of ASEAN for 2023.
“As one of our closest neighbours, Australia is building extensive cooperation with Indonesia on climate, economic development, education, and regional security issues.”
“Our region’s prosperity and stability requires collective effort and responsibility — that’s why Australia is committed to being a strong partner to our friends and neighbours in Southeast Asia.”
Earlier in the month, members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces completed training on the Bushmaster in Darwin covering maintenance and operations.
The training was delivered following Australia’s gift of 15 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles in 2021 by then defence minister Peter Dutton.
The gift was only accepted by Indonesia in April 2023.
According to Defence News, the training package which was carried out in Darwin, included introductory and more advanced operations, vehicle maintenance as well as training on the communications equipment.
Participants commenced the training package on a simulator before graduating to challenging real-life driving courses which included water crossings.
The training also sought to deepen relationships between the Australian Defence Force and the Indonesian military, which saw members undertake recreational activities in Northern Australia.
Major Matt Breckenridge, who oversaw the training and is currently seconded to the Indonesian Armed Forces Peacekeeping Centre, explained that the Bushmaster capability would prove essential to help Indonesia’s peacekeeping operations.
“The purpose was to give these soldiers the skills they need to safely operate and maintain the vehicles and associated communications equipment in austere environments,” MAJ Breckenridge said.
“The Bushmaster is particularly well-suited to missions where there is an increased risk of ambush, mines or improvised explosive devices, which are common to the mission areas where TNI conduct peacekeeping operations.”
[Related: RAAF teams up with Indonesia for maritime surveillance]
