Indonesia’s Archipelagic Defense: Posture, Modernization, and Cooperative Hedging in the South China Sea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v14i1.12322Keywords:
deterrence, hedging, middle power, Nusantara Defense Strategy, South China SeaAbstract
The escalating geopolitical volatility in the South China Sea and the widening military asymmetry in the Indo-Pacific have compelled Indonesia to reassess its national security posture fundamentally. This research examines the formulation and implementation of the Nusantara Defense Strategy (Strategi Pertahanan Nusantara-SPN) as a comprehensive framework to safeguard territorial integrity and maintain regional stability. Using a qualitative methodology, the research applied thematic and content analysis to triangulate semi-structured interviews with military elites and experts, systematic evaluation of official policy documents, and defense procurement data. The results indicate that the SPN operates as a strategic synthesis of deterrence and hedging. By integrating maritime, land, and aerial domains, Indonesia pursues a deterrence-by-denial posture particularly in the North Natuna Sea, while simultaneously employing a hedging strategy to preserve its free and active foreign policy. This dual-track approach enables the state to modernize its military capabilities, such as the acquisition of advanced fighter jets and missile systems, without succumbing to the pressures of Great Power polarization. The research concludes that while the SPN significantly enhances Indonesia’s strategic autonomy and credibility as a middle power, its long-term success remains contingent upon overcoming internal budgetary constraints and institutional overlaps.
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