Downing Street said the Prime Minister spoke to Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto on 22 November from Johannesburg, welcoming a new £4bn maritime partnership intended to underpin a long‑term defence relationship. Both leaders linked the package to jobs and growth in the UK and Indonesia, and committed to deepening wider ties.
The government readout did not set out scope or timelines. At this value, a maritime partnership would typically involve platform procurement, industrial collaboration, training and maritime security co‑operation over multiple years. For the UK, the announcement aligns with stated aims to expand defence exports into the Indo‑Pacific; for Indonesia, it indicates intent to build capability with a G7 partner.
Delivery would proceed through established UK controls. Defence exports are licensed against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria under the Export Control Order 2008, with compliance checks on end‑use and human rights risk. Any financial support-if pursued-would fall to UK Export Finance’s country limits and due‑diligence processes. None of these elements has been confirmed at this stage.
Industrial impact will depend on the eventual workshare. If the partnership centres on vessels and systems, UK shipbuilding, combat systems, training and sustainment businesses could see multi‑year order books, while Indonesia would expect skills transfer and local participation. Follow‑on support and upgrades typically extend commercial value beyond the initial contract period.
Beyond defence trade, the leaders agreed to deepen links on education and economic growth. In practice this points to higher education partnerships, skills pathways and private investment opportunities, though No.10’s account does not detail specific programmes or funding lines.
On the Middle East, the Prime Minister welcomed Indonesia’s commitments to an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, describing the moment as one of challenge and opportunity. That indicates UK diplomatic backing for a multilateral security and reconstruction effort led by partners; the readout provides no mandate, legal basis or timeline, which would ultimately determine any UK role in support.
On Ukraine, the Prime Minister briefed on recent discussions and said partners should go further and faster to cut off finance flows from Russian energy. For compliance teams in shipping, insurance and commodities trading, this signals continued focus on services linked to Russian oil and refined products, with an emphasis on enforcement and documentary evidence for price‑cap compliance.
Taken together, the call links three strands of current UK policy: expanding defence industrial partnerships in the Indo‑Pacific, supporting planning for Gaza stabilisation once conditions permit, and tightening measures to constrain Russian energy revenues. The government’s language frames these as instruments of economic security alongside foreign policy objectives.
Next steps hinge on formal announcements from London and Jakarta. Contract signatures, export licensing decisions, any export finance support and clarity on multinational stabilisation arrangements for Gaza will determine scale and timing. The leaders said they looked forward to speaking again soon.