Indonesian House Says Keeping Eye on Airspace Access for US Military

April 13, 2026 | 06:13 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's parliament is overseeing the plan to allow US military access to the country's airspace, said Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I, Sukamta, stating that it remains speculative.

Sukamta said that defense cooperation with foreign states must be consulted with the parliament, especially since it regards Indonesia's sovereignty and defense. 

"We uphold that national interest and sovereignty shall take priority in every policy," said Sukamta in his written statement on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The plan to give the US military blanket overflight access in Indonesian airspace has been put under scrutiny on social media since it was reported by American media outlets.

But Sukamta maintained there is no legal basis to give unrestricted airspace access to another country, as domestic and international instruments both regulate strict permit mechanisms for foreign military flight operations. 

According to him, Indonesia's strategic location within the Asia-Pacific must evoke commitment for Jakarta to maintain stability in the region. 

Thus, Sukamta called for the Indonesian government to carefully consider the plan due to its implications for regional geopolitical balance.

"The government is expected to provide a comprehensive, proportional, and fact-based explanation," said Sukamta.

In a separate statement, the Head of the ministry’s Information Bureau, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, said the proposal is still under internal and inter-agency discussion. He emphasized that the blanket overflight clearance document has not been finalized.

“It does not have legal binding power and cannot be used as the basis for official government policy,” Rico said in a written statement on Monday.

Rico explained that any draft cooperation mechanism must go through a careful and multi-layered review process before being considered further in accordance with applicable procedures and authorities.

“In the Indonesian context, this means that all processes must follow the laws and regulations, institutional mechanisms, and political decisions of the state,” said the two-star general.

He added that discussions on defense cooperation with other countries are always guided by national interests, including safeguarding Indonesia’s sovereignty and adhering to both national and international law.

“We emphasize that the authority, control, and supervision of Indonesian airspace remains fully in the hands of Indonesia,” he said.

Read: Indonesia Says No Final Approval for US Military Airspace Access

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Indonesia Says No Final Approval for US Military Airspace Access

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