Indonesia and Australia Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Indonesia and Australia have signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA), enhancing their defense relations significantly as Prabowo Subianto prepares to assume the Indonesian presidency. The DCA allows for joint military operations and training, with the largest bilateral military exercise planned for November. Both nations emphasize that the agreement is not a military alliance but a framework for collaboration aimed at addressing security threats in the Asia-Pacific. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles underscored the pact as a means to bolster mutual security, while respecting Indonesia's non-alignment policy. The agreement follows nearly 60 years of defense cooperation and builds on recent high-level discussions aimed at strengthening ties amidst rising regional tensions, particularly with China. The DCA is viewed as a strategic milestone that aims to maintain peace and stability in the region.