Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are expected to launch a strategic partnership in their upcoming talks, as both countries intend to engage in closer economic and defense ties.

Prabowo is currently in London for his second state visit to the former European Union member. In a video interview with the press, British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey revealed on the likely outcomes from the leaders’ meeting. The two leaders had previously committed to bind both nations much closer when Prabowo visited Starmer’s office back in November 2024.

“That is the key document that we will be launching this time round,” Jermey said.

The strategic partnership will cover four areas of cooperation: defense and security; economic growth; people and society; climate, energy, and nature. 

In the trade front, Jermey described Indonesia as an “absolutely essential partner” for the UK’s long-term prosperity. He went on to say that the UK is the world’s sixth-largest economy, while Indonesia ranks in the 16th place. Indonesia is also the UK’s 54th biggest export market. 

“We need each other economically for growth,” Jermey stated.

Indonesia reported that its trade with the UK totaled $2.4 billion between January and November 2025, with footwear exports of around $236.8 million in value topping Jakarta’s shipments. Southeast Asia’s biggest economy enjoyed a $459.5 million surplus over the said period. 

At present, Indonesia does not have a free trade agreement with the UK. However, Indonesia has been seeking to join the Trans-Pacific trade pact CPTPP, which the UK had joined back in late December. The CPTPP promises its members major tariff eliminations.

On defense, state-owned shipbuilder PAL has partnered with British defense company Babcock on the Merah Putih Frigate megaproject. The frigate will use Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 designs. Prabowo, a retired army general and a former defense minister, has been seeking to upgrade Indonesia’s military equipment.

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