Indonesia, Australia Sign 'Historic' Defense Agreement

Indonesia and Australia signed a new defense agreement Thursday (29/8), promising closer cooperation to address security threats in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement, announced this month, was signed during a visit to Indonesia by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles this week and includes provisions for joint exercises and deployments to each country. The two countries have sought to boost security ties amid escalating conflicts in the region including in the South China Sea, where several countries claim sovereignty over islands and waters. Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto described the Australia-Indonesia Defense Cooperation Agreement as a “historic milestone.” “(The agreement) was made together to … enhance cooperation to help each other in overcoming various security threats and to promote sustainable stability and peace in the Asia Pacific region,” he said in a joint press conference on Thursday. Prabowo stressed that the deal was not a military pact or a military alliance, adding that he hoped to forge closer ties with Australia in the future. Marles said the deal was the most significant defense agreement between the two countries, and praised it as a “pact-level agreement.” “We will see much greater interoperability between our defense forces, an ability to operate from each …