Amid the ongoing tensions, Indonesia beat the odds by involving the United States (US), China, and Russia in the 5th Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK). Indonesia hosted the 5th MNEK in 2025, reinforcing its leadership role as part of its defense diplomacy.
Indonesia’s strategic location in the Indo-Pacific Region holds political, economic, and geographical positions that require a proper defense system. One way to actualize a comprehensive defense system is defense diplomacy through joint military exercises. Defense diplomacy plays an important role in shaping and implementing security policy in various countries (Drab, 2018). It gained further attention with the advantages obtained through its various activities (Inkiriwang, 2020), including bilateral or multilateral military exercises for training purposes (Cottey and Fosters, 2004).
The Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK), hosted by the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), became Indonesia’s first multilateral joint exercise aimed at establishing cooperation and facilitating multilateral engagement since its initiation in 2014 (Inkiriwang, 2021). Held for the fifth time, the 2025 MNEK was conducted under the theme “Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability” amid the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region.
Overview of the 2025 MNEK
The 2025 MNEK was held from 16 to 22 February, 2025, in Tanjung Benoa, Bali, joined by 38 countries, including 19 foreign warships and 19 Indonesian Navy ships. It consists of a Harbor Phase, which includes Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP), Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), International Fleet Review (IFR), and International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), as well as an environmental conservation and cultural exchange program (Komando Armada I, 2025; TNI, 2025). The Sea Phase includes photo exercise, seamanship exercise, search and rescue exercise, and sail past (Indonesia Defense Magazine, 2025).
Under the theme of “Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability,” the multilateral exercise became a medium for defense diplomacy to promote stability in the current conflicting Indo-Pacific. The 2025 MNEK focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR), building civil-military relations, and improving mutual trust as well as increasing interoperability among the participants.
Navigating through the Hegemony with the 2025 MNEK
It is interesting to note that among the countries that participated in the 2025 MNEK were the US, China, and Russia amid the hostile relationship and ongoing tension in the Indo-Pacific region. Throughout the times, China and the US have accused each other of military activity to insert influence in the region and maintain conflictual relationships. Furthermore, while the rifts between the US and Russia continue after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, both nations meet together at the Bali Sea for the 2025 MNEK.
China has participated in the MNEK since its inauguration in 2014 to the latest in 2025, even though Indonesia and China’s initial joint exercise, the “Sharp Knife,” was suspended in 2015 due to the ongoing dispute in the South China Sea (Inkiriwang, 2021). Nevertheless, China was present at each of the following MNEK. Although the defense cooperation remains minimal despite the decision to continue the Sharp Knife in 2024, China’s participation in the 2025 MNEK indicates efforts to build mutual trust and demonstrate China’s intentions in maintaining the defense cooperation with Indonesia. Given that the MNEK is a naval exercise, it can be seen that China’s participation is essential to assert its presence in the region. For Indonesia, as noted by Inkiriwang (2021), the MNEK serves as an alternative medium to conduct the necessary defense diplomacy with China.
Just the previous year, Indonesia and Russia held their first-ever bilateral naval exercise known as the “Orruda” Joint Training. In the context of MNEK, Russia can be considered a regular participant, having taken part in each MNEK since its establishment in 2014, including the 2016, 2018, and 2023 (Storey, 2024), prior to the latest 2025 MNEK. According to Sergei Tolchenov, the Russian Ambassador to Indonesia, the Russian Navy became the second-largest delegation at the 2025 MNEK, right after Indonesia as the host country (Rahmanita, 2025). It is apparent that Russia’s participation in the 2025 MNEK signals a strengthening of defense cooperation between the two countries.
The US and Indonesia just held their annual Super Garuda Shield exercise in August 2024. Along with China and Russia, the US has also participated in every MNEK since its inception (Inkiriwang, 2021). As the US recognizes Indonesia’s strategic position, the US utilizes the MNEK as a platform to utilize its defense diplomacy. It is apparent that US engagement in the exercise, along with its other defense collaboration with Indonesia as part of its “Indo-Pacific” strategy to actualize the US vision for a “Free and Open” Indo-Pacific, aimed to foster US military advantages in the region by increasing security cooperation between its allies and partners.
Defense Diplomacy under the Indonesia Free and Active Policy through 2025 MNEK
It can be seen that the 2025 MNEK successfully displays Indonesia’s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region by involving more than 30 countries, including major powers and rival parties in the Indo-Pacific. By hosting such large-scale naval exercises, Indonesia strengthened its position as an important player in the region to its key partners. In line with the theme of “Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability,” the 2025 MNEK portrayed Indonesia’s commitment to fostering multilateral cooperation among partnering countries in the security area as part of its defense diplomacy. Considering the ongoing dynamics and challenges of the Indo-Pacific region, the 2025 MNEK illustrates Indonesia’s clear and bold stances in the region. Furthermore, Indonesia utilized the 2025 MNEK to foster defense cooperation and increase interoperability, especially among navies.
The 2025 MNEK reflects Indonesia’s Free and Active foreign policy implementation in its defense diplomacy. “Free” does not necessarily mean neutral, but free to conduct its behavior without attaching to one major power while maintaining proactive participation in global endeavors. Moreover, the 2025 MNEK also illustrates Indonesia’s hedging strategy to assert its interests while maintaining regional stability. This is important for Indonesia to secure its position in the Indo-Pacific and in the global community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Indonesia conducted the 2025 MNEK as part of its defense diplomacy to demonstrate its leadership role in the Indo-Pacific and to enhance interoperability within the region. As China, Russia, and the US have participated since the first MNEK and continue to take part in the latest exercise despite their hostile relationship, it can be concluded that MNEK is a successful platform to conduct defense diplomacy. Considering the new administration of Prabowo Subianto with his military background, it is likely that defense diplomacy activities, including MNEK, will gain further attention.
