Sjafrie Meets Qatar Defense Minister, Discusses Defense Cooperation

Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin hosted Qatar's Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdurrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, for an official visit on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. This meeting marked a reciprocal visit following a previous encounter in Qatar in April of the previous year.

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Cooperation related to military, education, training, defense industry, and others.

The primary objective of the visit was to formalize and deepen defense cooperation between Indonesia and Qatar. Minister Sjafrie highlighted that the collaboration would encompass various crucial areas, including military affairs, education and training programs, and the defense industry. This initiative aims to build a more structured and mutually beneficial defense relationship.

Brigadier General Rico Sirait, Head of the Defense Information Bureau, elaborated that a key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a statement of intent. This document serves as a follow-up to a letter of intent previously signed in 2021. Furthermore, an MoU was executed between Qatar's Barzan Holding and local Indonesian industries, facilitated through the Head of Defense Logistics (Kabaloghan).

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We view the relationship between Indonesia and Qatar as having important strategic value.

Sirait emphasized the strategic importance of the Indonesia-Qatar relationship, viewing the signed agreements as concrete steps toward a more robust and implementable defense partnership. As a gesture of appreciation for Qatar's commitment to strengthening defense ties, Minister Sjafrie presented Sheikh Saoud bin Abdurrahman with the Dharma Pertahanan award. This award recognizes Qatar's role as a strategic partner in the Middle East, contributing to regional stability, diplomacy, and international peace.

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The award reflects Qatar's role as a strategic partner in the Middle East, both in defense, diplomacy, and support for international peace stability.