Australia has entered into a treaty-level agreement with Indonesia to improve defense cooperation amid regional threats.
Signed by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto on Thursday, the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement would elevate the cooperation and interoperability between the nations in several aspects, including:
- counterterrorism,
- education and training,
- humanitarian and disaster relief,
- logistics support, and
- maritime security.
Marles said the accord is a significant milestone between the two nations’ defense cooperation initiative. “This agreement reflects our mutual determination to grow the defense partnership in support of the global rules-based order,” he added.
For his part, Subianto said the two sides arrived at the deal as they strive to work together as neighbors and “increase cooperation to help each other overcome various security threats and promote sustainable peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Canberra’s deal with Jakarta follows recent warfighting exercises with New Zealand, another close ally and neighbor, which it held as part of efforts to ensure greater interoperability in the region.