Indonesia Defense Minister Says No Deal Reached on US Military Access to Airspace

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (L) and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie (R) Sjamsoeddin stand as they pose for photographs with U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague (L) and Indonesian Maj. Gen. Agus Widodo (R) after signing a memorandum of understanding at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on April 13, 2026. Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesIndonesia’s defense minister said on May 19 that a letter of intent signed last month with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth did not commit Jakarta to granting U.S. military aircraft access to Indonesian airspace.The letter of intent signed in Washington mentioned respecting each country’s territorial integrity, the need for a mechanism ​if Indonesia agreed to airspace access, and respect for ​local laws, Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told a parliamentary hearing.