Indonesian minister breaks ranks over AUKUS subs deal

Indonesia’s Defence Minister has acknowledged Australia’s right to pursue nuclear submarine technology to protect its national interest ‘if they feel threatened’.

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. Picture: AFP

Indonesia’s Defence Minister has acknowledged Australia’s right to pursue nuclear submarine technology to protect its national interest “if they feel threatened” in stark contrast to the country’s foreign ministry, which has repeatedly criticised the move.

Prabowo Subianto, a two-time presidential challenger expected to run for office again in 2024, made the comments during a keynote speech to a Middle East security summit hosted by the Institute for Strategic and International Studies in Bahrain.

Mr Subianto told the Manama Dialogue that Indonesia supported “the right of every country to defend and enhance their sovereign rights”.

Asked specifically about Australia’s trilateral security pact with the UK and US, through which it will eventually acquire nuclear-powered submarines, Mr Subianto acknowledged regional concerns but said he supported the right of all nations to protect themselves. “Officially our position is that, of course, Southeast Asia should remain nuclear-free. The fear is it will spark an arms race, that this will spark more countries seeking nuclear subs,” he said.

“We know that now the technology is there, many other countries can very soon have nuclear subs. I would say Japan and India, and many, many other countries. But the emphasis of every country is to protect their national interest if they feel threatened. If they feel they have an existential threat, they will do whatever that can to protect themselves. We understand (and) respect that.”

Indonesia was “anxious” to maintain dialogue, relationships and even help mediate between great powers “but every country will do what they can to protect their national interest. If they feel threatened, we fully understand what they will do.”

Indonesia and Malaysia have been among the most vocal critics of AUKUS and Australia’s nuclear submarine ambitions. Indonesian foreign ministry officials have even flagged an intention to raise the issue at an international review of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty next year.

While Mr Prabowo revealed a more nuanced view of the pact, his Malaysian counterpart, Hishammuddin Hussein, told the same summit he remained concerned at the potential for “unintended and accidental incidents in the South China Sea”.

“If the South China Sea is full of military movement, the chances of accidents … is a real problem,” he said.

Australia has been working hard to allay those fears. Foreign Minister Marise Payne called on counterparts in Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam this month to reassure them Australia did not seek to acquire nuclear weapon capability. That message was reinforced during a joint Monday briefing from the departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence to ASEAN nation heads of mission in Canberra, ahead of the signing of a formal treaty by the three AUKUS nations.

David Engel, senior Indonesia analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said it was no surprise Mr Prabowo’s views should differ to those of his diplomatic colleagues. “He has long seemed more alert to the bleaker realities of power and its implications for Indonesia’s sovereignty,” he said.