Australia and Indonesia on Friday signed a new security treaty aimed at deepening defence cooperation between the two neighbours, including plans for closer military integration and the development of joint training facilities.
The agreement, signed in Jakarta, will enable a range of defence initiatives, among them the embedding of a senior Indonesian military officer within Australia’s defence force, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement with Indonesian leaders.
Albanese said Australia would also support the development of military training facilities to enhance Indonesia’s capacity to conduct joint exercises, describing the pact as a significant step in bilateral relations.
The treaty comes as Canberra seeks to strengthen its military posture in the Asia-Pacific region amid China’s expanding influence. Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, has traditionally maintained a cautious foreign policy, avoiding alignment with major powers to preserve relations with Beijing, its largest trading partner.
Albanese described the agreement as “a historic moment” in Australia–Indonesia relations, noting the two countries share one of the world’s longest maritime boundaries.
Indonesia’s President, Prabowo Subianto, said the treaty reflects Indonesia’s commitment to good neighbourliness and its long-standing “free and active” foreign policy doctrine.
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“We believe that this agreement will be one of the important pillars for stability and cooperation in our region,” Prabowo said.
The new pact builds on a 2024 defence agreement that committed both countries to closer cooperation in the contested Asia-Pacific region. Following that accord, thousands of Australian and Indonesian troops participated in joint military exercises in eastern Java.
Albanese, who is on his fifth official visit to Indonesia, said the treaty represents a major expansion of security and defence ties and praised Indonesia’s increasing investment in Australia. His visit is expected to conclude on Saturday.