Australia's defence minister Robert Hill has confirmed Australia is considering resuming military links with Indonesia's notorious Kopassus special forces.

Australia broke off all joint exercises with Kopassus in 1998, partly due to concerns about its support for militiamen operating in East Timor.

However it is understood the foreign minister will discuss renewing the link between the elite Inondesian troops and Australia's Special Air Services during talks in Jakarta this week.

Senator Hill thinks the move may be in Australia's interests. "We are aware of the role that Kopassus has in relation to counter-terrorism responsibilities in Indonesia, and therefore it it might well be in Australian interests to redevelop the relationship," Senator Hill says.