Today, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan signed a Military Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), the Indonesian National Armed Forces. This is a significant step forward for Canada's bilateral defence partnership with Indonesia and demonstrates Canada's long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
This new arrangement between the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the TNI strengthens the military partnership between both nations and will increase collaboration in areas of maritime security, bilateral and multilateral exercises, and capacity building, among others. The positive impact of this arrangement can already be seen in the region, through the CAF's participation in Exercise SUPER GARUDA SHIELD 2025. This year will see the largest CAF contingent participating in the Exercise, with members currently deployed on Operation HORIZON. This arrangement will also continue to build on our highly successful partnership under the Military Training and Cooperation Program, in which over 700 TNI members have participated since Indonesia joined in 2008.
The signing of this arrangement further strengthens our defence partnership with Indonesia, an influential partner in the region and a leading member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Through Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, we will continue to increase our defence and security cooperation with ASEAN member states, and work with our allies and partners to ensure a strong defence presence in the region.
As a Pacific nation, the security and stability of the broader Indo-Pacific region is vital to Canada's future and global stability. Canada is, and will continue to be, an active, reliable and predictable partner in the region.
