Defense Diplomacy as a Strategic Instrument to Face China's Escalation in the North Natuna Sea

Abstract

The urgency lies in the need for a more effective and integrated defense diplomacy strategy to create a real deterrence effect against China's offenses. Defense diplomacy must be able to bridge the gap between symbolic policy and concrete action, with credible military support and solid international cooperation. The purpose of this study is to analyze Defense Diplomacy as a Strategic Instrument to Face China's Escalation in the North Natuna Sea. The research method used is qualitative descriptive with a systematic literature review approach. The results of the study show that Indonesia's defense diplomacy in the North Natuna Sea is a comprehensive strategy that combines military power, international diplomacy, and legal approaches. Through increasing TNI interoperability, modernizing defense equipment, and cooperation with partner countries, Indonesia strengthens defense capabilities while asserting claims based on UNCLOS.