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A shifting geopolitical landscape is prompting Southeast Asian countries to forge multifaceted defense relationships, balancing strategic autonomy with security concerns. Recent developments reveal a nuanced approach to external security partnerships,notably among indonesia,Malaysia,and Thailand,as they navigate relationships with major powers like the United States and China.
Malaysia’s Balancing Act
Malaysia’s defense strategy centers on bolstering its capabilities through cooperation while maintaining a non-aligned foreign policy. The nation seeks to stabilize its strategic environment by engaging both the United States and China, avoiding exclusive alliances. This approach is driven by a recognition of its military’s limitations and a desire to maintain open communication with key regional actors.
Malaysia has conducted 39 combined military exercises with the United States and engaged in cooperative efforts with Australia and Japan.
Did You Know?
The Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA), established in 1971 with australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia, remains a cornerstone of Malaysia’s security framework.
Traditional and Emerging Partnerships
Alongside the FPDA and the United States, Malaysia is actively cultivating defense ties with India and Japan. In Febuary 2025, the Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) agreed to share expertise on maintaining Russian-made Su-30 combat aircraft.Japan, through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) agreement signed in 2023, is providing rescue boats to enhance Malaysia’s maritime capabilities.
China’s engagement with Malaysia has also increased, culminating in an agreement in 2025 to establish a 2+2 defense dialog. Despite overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea, an informal understanding allows malaysia to extract resources without harassment. While exercises with China are limited in scope, they signal Malaysia’s commitment to non-alignment.
| Partner | Type of Cooperation | Key Initiatives (2023-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Military Exercises, Aid | Long-range radar supply (2021), airlift capability assistance (2024), F/A-18 software upgrade (2025) |
| Australia | FPDA, Exercises | Participation in Bersama Shield/Lima exercises, ongoing security cooperation |
| China | Dialogue, Exercises | 2+2 defense dialogue (2025), limited joint exercises |
| Japan | Assistance, Dialogue | Provision of rescue boats (2023), OSA agreement |
Indonesia‘s Strategic Autonomy
Indonesia prioritizes strategic autonomy and regional stability in its defense diplomacy. President Prabowo Subianto’s guiding principle, “A thousand friends are too few, one enemy is too many,” underscores Jakarta’s broad approach to defense agreements. Indonesia actively seeks partnerships both within and outside Southeast Asia.
Indonesia’s defense activities with China and Russia demonstrate its non-aligned stance. in July 2024,the Indonesian Army Chief of Staff announced plans for increased military exercises with both nations. Simultaneously, Indonesia finalized a Defence Cooperation Arrangement with Australia in August 2024.
A key driver of Indonesia’s partnerships is the acquisition of advanced military technology and the goal of increasing domestic content in defense equipment from 40% to 70%. Cooperation with France, including the joint production of submarines with technology transfer, exemplifies this strategy. Russia remains a long-standing partner, providing equipment and training since the late 1950s, with ongoing agreements for cooperation in various areas.
Indonesia maintains a strong partnership with the United States, formalized through a Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2023. Over 50 bilateral and multilateral exercises were conducted between 2023 and 2024, emphasizing interoperability and combat readiness.
Pro Tip:
Exercises like Garuda Shield and Super Garuda Shield are crucial for enhancing US-Indonesia military cooperation.
Thailand’s evolving Alliances
Thailand, a US treaty ally, continues to prioritize defense cooperation with the United States, with Australia as its second most important partner. Cobra Gold, hosted annually by Thailand, is the region’s largest multilateral military exercise, involving around 30 countries and 3,200 US personnel in 2025.
despite the scale of Cobra Gold,its focus remains largely on humanitarian and disaster response,reflecting a relative lack of dynamism in the Thailand-US partnership.Thailand participates in 49 combined exercises with the United States, demonstrating a high level of interoperability. However, the 2014 military coup and subsequent US criticism led to a shift in Thailand’s external defense partnerships.
China has significantly expanded its defense ties with Thailand since the coup. While a deal to purchase three Chinese submarines faces delays, bilateral air force exercises, like Falcon Strike, have grown in complexity, providing China with opportunities to train alongside a Western-trained military. Japan’s security cooperation with Thailand is developing, with an agreement signed in 2022 to facilitate technology transfer, though Thailand has yet to receive defense equipment from Japan.
What factors are driving the increasing Chinese influence in Thailand’s defense sector, and how might this impact regional security dynamics? Considering the diverse approaches of these three nations, how can ASEAN foster greater cohesion in its collective security strategy?
Evergreen Context: Regional Security Trends
The diversification of defense partnerships in Southeast Asia reflects broader trends in the Indo-Pacific region. Rising geopolitical competition between the United States and China, coupled with increasing concerns about maritime security and non-traditional threats like climate change and pandemics, are driving nations to hedge their bets and build resilience through diversified security arrangements. This trend is likely to continue as regional powers seek to maintain strategic autonomy and navigate a complex and evolving security landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is driving the diversification of defense partnerships in Southeast Asia? Rising geopolitical competition and the need for strategic autonomy.
- What role does the United States play in the defense strategies of these countries? The US remains a key partner for Indonesia and Thailand, and a significant partner for Malaysia, providing military aid, exercises, and technology transfer.
- How is China influencing defense cooperation in the region? China is increasing its engagement through dialogues, exercises, and arms sales, particularly with Malaysia and Thailand.
- What is the significance of the Five Power Defence arrangements (FPDA)? The FPDA provides a framework for security cooperation between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
- What are the key goals of Indonesia’s defense strategy? strategic autonomy, regional stability, and increasing domestic defense industry capabilities.
This evolving landscape demands careful observation and strategic engagement. As these nations continue to navigate complex relationships, the future of regional security will depend on their ability to balance competing interests and foster a collaborative approach to shared challenges.
