Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia and France have officially signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

The document was signed by Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and French Defense Minister Florence Parly at the French Defense Ministry in Paris, Monday (June 28).

The DCA was the result of the two ministers’ meeting in January 2020.

After going through long negotiations, the two ministers agreed on the DCA text which not only serves as an umbrella for strengthening defense cooperation, but also enhancing the Indonesia-France strategic partnership.

"The DCA is an important umbrella for comprehensive defense cooperation between Indonesia and France in the future, which is mutually beneficial in various fields which are in the interests of both countries," Minister Prabowo said.

The DCA expands the scope of defense cooperation between Indonesia and France.

Several areas that will become the focus of the cooperation include military education and training, development of science and technology in the defense industry and its production, peacekeeping forces, and combating terrorism.

In addition, the DCA also includes cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster management, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the DCA, the two countries also have the opportunity to maximize the potentials and competitive advantage of their respective strengths, such as the development of cyber security and the main weapon system.

At the meeting, the two ministers exchanged ideas on various issues of mutual interests, and discussed many opportunities for cooperation that could be immediately undertaken to contribute in the region, particularly in supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the French Strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Reporting by Indonesia Window