Menhan Australia Soroti Peluang Kerja Sama Latihan Militer di Morotai

15 Maret 2026

Morotai dapat menjadi gerbang bagi Australia untuk masuk ke Asia Timur (image: GoogleMaps)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Wakil Perdana Menteri sekaligus Menteri Pertahanan Australia Richard Marles melihat peluang bagi Australia untuk menggunakan fasilitas pelatihan militer internasional milik Indonesia yang akan dibangun di Morotai, Maluku Utara.

"Ini adalah fasilitas pelatihan Indonesia, tetapi kami melihat ada peluang bagi Australia untuk terlibat dalam pelatihan di sana," kata Marles dalam jumpa pers di Kedutaan Besar Australia di Jakarta, Kamis.

Dia menyampaikan pernyataan itu menyusul pertemuannya dengan Menteri Pertahanan Indonesia Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin di Jakarta, Kamis, dalam rangkaian kegiatan kunjungannya ke Indonesia pekan ini.

Pelabuhan kota Daruba, ibukota Kabupaten Pulau Morotai, Maluku Utara (photo: Kontan)

Dalam pertemuan tersebut, menteri pertahanan kedua negara membahas tentang tindak lanjut Traktat Keamanan Bersama Australia-Indonesia yang ditandatangani pada Februari 2026 serta Perjanjian Kerja Sama Pertahanan Australia-Indonesia yang ditandatangani pada Agustus 2024.

Salah satu pembahasan dalam pertemuan itu ialah tentang rencana Australia akan mengirim tim survei militer ke Pulau Morotai pada akhir tahun untuk meninjau potensi kerja sama dalam pengembangan infrastruktur fasilitas pelatihan militer Indonesia.

"Kami akan mengirim tim survei militer ke Pulau Morotai untuk meninjau bagaimana kami dapat melakukan lebih banyak pekerjaan infrastruktur di sana, di fasilitas pelatihan yang sangat penting bagi TNI," jelasnya.

Airstrip di Morotai peninggalan Perang Dunia II (photo: Dave Robitaille)

Marles menegaskan bahwa fasilitas pelatihan tersebut ialah milik Indonesia dan akan digunakan sebagai fasilitas pelatihan militer bagi tentara Indonesia. Namun demikian, Marles tidak menutup kemungkinan bagi tentara Australia untuk berlatih di fasilitas pelatihan tersebut.

"Ini akan menjadi fasilitas milik Indonesia dan kami memikirkan bagaimana dapat menggunakan fasilitas pelatihan satu sama lain telah menjadi bagian penting dari diskusi yang telah kami lakukan antara kedua angkatan pertahanan kita," jelasnya.

Australia juga memiliki area pelatihan yang cukup luas di negaranya. Marles pun mempersilakan Indonesia untuk mengirimkan anggota TNI dan menggunakan area pelatihan tersebut.

Armada Angkatan Laut Australia (photo: Aus DoD)

"Kami telah melihat hal (kerja sama semacam) itu terjadi selama beberapa tahun terakhir. Saya pikir ini adalah kesempatan bagi Australia ke depannya untuk melihat Morotai dikembangkan dengan cara ini, tetapi tempat ini akan lebih banyak menjadi fasilitas pelatihan bagi Indonesia," katanya.

Dia pun kembali menegaskan bahwa keterlibatan Australia dalam pembangunan fasilitas pelatihan militer di Morotai itu ialah di bidang infrastruktur.

"Beliau (Menhan Sjafrie) sangat ingin melibatkan kami dalam masalah ini, dalam hal-hal yang dapat kami lakukan untuk mendukung infrastruktur yang perlu dikembangkan di Morotai. Ini sebagian besar dipimpin oleh Indonesia, tetapi kami melihat ini sebagai peluang besar bagi kami juga," ujar Menhan Marles.

(Antara)

Philippines Signed Defence Deal with UAE and Japan

20 Januari 2026

MoU with UAE (infographic: DND)

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which seeks to deepen cooperation on advanced defense technologies, and strengthen the security relations between the two countries.

The MOU, signed in Abu Dhabi during the President's working visit to the UAE on January 12-14, 2026, will serve as a platform for collaboration on unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, and naval systems, in line with the ongoing capability development and modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Anchored on the already robust people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the UAE, the agreement is also expected to bolster defense and military relations, through education and training, intelligence and security sharing, and cooperation in the fields of anti-terrorism, maritime security, and peacekeeping operations.

Being the first formal defense agreement of the Philippines with a Gulf country, the MOU with the UAE is a testament to the Philippines' commitment to forging stronger partnerships to address matters of mutual interest. The Department of National Defense continues to work with like-minded partners in pursuit of regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity. (DND)

Agreement with UAE (infographic: DND)

Philippines and Japan Sign ACSA and Official Security Assistance for FY 2025

The Philippines and Japan marked a significant advancement in bilateral defense cooperation with the signing of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of Japan concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services (“Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement", or ACSA) and the exchange of notes on Official Security Assistance (OSA) for Japanese Fiscal Year 2025.

The ACSA establishes a legal framework to facilitate the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces SDF). The Agreement is intended to enhance military interoperability and readiness, and to enable the more efficient conduct of joint exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, peacekeeping activities, and other mutually agreed engagements. The ACSA complements existing bilateral defense arrangements and contributes to deeper practical cooperation between the two countries.

On the same occasion, Japan confirmed the provision of Official Security Assistance Fiscal Year 2025, which will support the modernization and capacity-building efforts of the Philippine defense sector. This assistance includes infrastructure support under Japan's OSA framework, reinforcing the Philippines' ability to enhance maritime security and operational effectiveness. (DND)

TNI AU-IAF Sepakati Pembentukan "Su-30 Forum" dan Pengembangan Program Air-to-Air Refueling

13 Oktober 2025

TNI AU dan IAF akan memperkuat interoperabilitas (photo: TNI AU)

TNI AU-Indian Air Force Sepakati Sejumlah Kerja Sama Strategis dalam 6th Air Staff Talks

TNI Angkatan Udara (TNI AU) dan Indian Air Force (IAF) menyepakati sejumlah kerja sama strategis dalam 6th Air Staff Talks yang diselenggarakan di Bali pada 7–10 Oktober 2025.

Forum tersebut dipimpin oleh Asisten Operasi Kepala Staf Angkatan Udara (Asops Kasau) Marsda TNI Suliono, S.Sos., dan diikuti oleh delegasi dari kedua angkatan udara.

Dalam pertemuan ini, kedua pihak menyepakati beberapa langkah kerja sama penting, antara lain pembentukan Su-30 Forum sebagai wadah koordinasi dan pelatihan bersama. 

Selain itu, TNI AU dan IAF akan mengembangkan program air-to-air refueling yang melibatkan pesawat tanker milik India dan pesawat tempur TNI AU. 

IAF menggunakan pesawat IL-78 MKI untuk misi air-to-air refuelling (photo: IAF)

Kedua angkatan udara juga berkomitmen memperkuat interoperabilitas serta meningkatkan kesiapan kedua angkatan udara. 

Air Staff Talks merupakan program rutin yang diselenggarakan oleh Paban III/Lat Sopsau sebagai sarana mempererat hubungan bilateral dan memperkuat kerja sama strategis di bidang pertahanan udara.

Melalui kegiatan ini, diharapkan hubungan bilateral antara TNI AU dan Indian Air Force semakin erat, serta meningkatkan kemampuan kedua angkatan udara dalam menghadapi berbagai tantangan di masa depan.

(TNI AU)

PH Lauds QUAD for Calling Out ‘Dangerous, Provocative Actions’ in SCS

11 Agustus 2025

QUAD (United States, Japan, India, Australia) (image: drishtiias)

MANILA – The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Thursday lauded the foreign ministers of the Quad (United States, Japan, India, Australia) for calling out “dangerous and provocative actions” in the South China Sea, including the use of water cannons on vessels.

“By highlighting the continuing dangerous and provocative actions, and the use of force and coercion in the South China Sea, the Quad Foreign Ministers has kept focus on the incidents that the Philippines has regularly contended with in the West Philippine Sea,” the DFA said.

The DFA said this reflects the international community’s “strong objection” to illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.

“It also underscores the need for the firm adherence to international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which remains the legal framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out,” it said.

In a joint statement on July 1, the foreign ministers of the US, Japan, India, and Australia underscored their commitment to advancing a region that is “free from coercion.”

Philippine Navy and Indian Navy when conduct naval exercise last month (photo: PN)

Alluding to activities conducted by China, the grouping said it is concerned over the “dangerous maneuvers by military aircraft and coast guard and maritime militia vessels, especially the unsafe use of water cannons and ramming or blocking actions in the South China Sea.”

These actions, the four ministers said, “threaten peace and stability in the region.”

Meanwhile, the DFA said it appreciates the Quad Foreign Ministers' unequivocal support for the final and valid 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

This, it said, further cements the ruling’s status as an unassailable part of the corpus of international law.

“Nine years hence, the Arbitral Award has served as a shining affirmation of the dispute settlement mechanism under UNCLOS, and has been cited by ITLOS (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea) and the ICJ (International Court of Justice) in their respective legal issuances,” it said.

“Such a landmark ruling under international law deserves full compliance in furtherance of the peaceful settlement of disputes,” it added.

For the Philippines’ part, the DFA said the government would continue to uphold a rules-based order governed by international law, particularly UNCLOS.

The Philippines, it said, would continue to prioritize effective diplomacy and the constructive management of differences in addressing the situation at sea. 

(PNA)

Jepang dan Australia Akan Bekerja Sama Dalam Persenjataan Jarak Jauh

09 September 20241

Penembakan rudal Tomahawk dari destroyer kapal US Navy (photo: US Navy)

Jepang dan Australia telah sepakat untuk memperluas kerja sama dalam persenjataan serang jarak jauh. Upaya ini akan difokuskan pada pengembangan interoperabilitas dan kemampuan bersama di tengah meningkatnya kekhawatiran di kedua negara tentang sikap asertifitas China.

Kesepakatan ini diumumkan setelah konsultasi menteri luar negeri dan pertahanan kedua negara pada tanggal 5 September di Victoria, Australia. “Jepang dan Australia sepakat untuk lebih meningkatkan kerja sama antara kemampuan serangan balik yang memanfaatkan kemampuan pertahanan jarak jauh Jepang dan kemampuan serangan jarak jauh Australia,” kata Kementerian Luar Negeri Jepang.

Berbicara dalam konferensi pers, Menteri Pertahanan Jepang Minoru Kihara juga mengatakan peningkatan kerja sama bilateral akan difokuskan pada kapal angkatan laut – termasuk kesepakatan potensial yang melibatkan fregat kelas Mogami Jepang – dan penelitian tentang sistem robotik dan otonom bawah air.

Tomahawk

Kihara mengatakan kolaborasi Jepang-Australia pada senjata jarak jauh selaras dengan persyaratan kedua negara – yang diuraikan dalam doktrin pertahanan masing-masing yang baru direvisi – untuk meningkatkan kemampuan jarak jauh guna melawan meningkatnya ancaman di Indo-Pasifik. “Kebijakan dasar kami berada di arah yang sama,” kata Kihara dalam komentar yang dipublikasikan oleh Kementerian Pertahanan Jepang (MoD).

Ia menambahkan bahwa satu bidang kerja sama akan difokuskan pada rudal jelajah Raytheon Tomahawk, yang mana Australia dan Jepang berkomitmen untuk pengadaannya bagi kapal tempur permukaan mereka. Kedua negara telah menandatangani kesepakatan Penjualan Militer Asing tahun lalu dengan AS untuk memperoleh sekitar 200 unit rudal masing-masing.

Australia ingin melengkapi kapal perusak perang udara kelas Hobart dan fregat kelas Hunter masa depan dengan rudal tersebut, sementara Jepang berencana untuk mengintegrasikan Tomahawk ke armada kapal perusak yang dilengkapi Aegis.

(Jane's)

Indonesia dan Australia Tandatangani Kesepakatan Pertahanan, Bakal Latihan Militer Gabungan Terbesar

02 September 2024

Menteri Pertahanan Australia Richard Marles dan Menteri Pertahanan Indonesia Prabowo Subianto menandatangani kesepakatan Marles di Akademi Militer Nasional, Magelang, Jawa Tengah (photo: Kemhan)

MAGELANG, KOMPAS.TV - Indonesia dan Australia menandatangani kesepakatan pertahanan yang digambarkan sebagai peningkatan signifikan hubungan militer kedua negara.

Menteri Pertahanan Indonesia Prabowo Subianto menandatangani Kesepakatan Kooperasi Pertahanan, dengan Menteri Pertahanan Australia Richard Marles di Akademi Militer Nasional, Magelang, Jawa Tengah, Kamis (29/8/2024).

Dikutip dari Associated Press, Marles mengatakan pada pernyataannya, kesepakatan itu adalah bagian penting dari arsitektur internasional, sebuah kerja sama tingkat pakta, tetapi bukan aliansi militer.

Ia menambahkan bahwa kedua negara berencana menggelar latihan militer gabungan terbesar sepanjang sejarah di November.

Bagi Australia, latihan gabungan tersebut juga akan menjadi yang terbesar di luar negeri bagi negara itu.

Hubungan bilateral ini menjadi peningkatan penting bagi Australia di tengah meningkatnya tensi dengan China di kawasan.

Prabowo sendiri berjanji akan melanjutkan kebijakan lama non-blok saat dirinya resmi menjadi Presiden Indonesia.

“Kami melakukannya bersama, sebagai tetangga kami melakukan kontak langsung, meningkatkan kerja sama untuk menolong satu sama lain menghadapi berbagai ancaman keamanan dan mendorong perdamaian, serta stabilitas berkelanjutan di kawasan Asia Pasifik,” kata Prabowo.

Menteri Pertahanan Australia mengatakan bahwa kesepakatan itu mencakup peningkatan kerja sama praktis, dan interoperabilitas antara pasukan pertahanan mereka di berbagai bidang seperti keamanan maritim.

Selain itu, juga pemberantasan terorisme, bantuan kemanusiaan dan bencana, dukungan logistik, pendidikan dan pelatihan, serta di seluruh industry pertahanan.

“Perjanjian kerja sama pertahanan kedua negara adalah yang terdalam. Ini adalah perjanjian pertahanan paling signifikan dalam sejarah hubungan bilateral kami,” ujar Marles.

(KompasTV)

PH Eyes Defense Pacts with 3 More Countries

24 Juli 2024

FAIC-M squadron of Philippine Navy (photo: PN)

MANILA – The Philippines is looking to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Canada, France, and New Zealand. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has said.

"We are going to work on an RAA hopefully with Canada, with France, (also) with New Zealand and with other countries that escaped my memory," Teodoro said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday afternoon.

The DND chief also said a similar pact with these countries will center on interoperability between their military forces.

"They will all look the same, they will allow (the) Armed Forces of these different countries to operate with the Philippine Armed Forces within the Philippine territorial jurisdictions and vice versa so it will increase interoperability between these countries," he added.

The country's first RAA signed with Japan last July 8, aims to lift restrictions on military-to-military exchange between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan Self Defense Force.

The DND chief said he hopes to start talks with these countries on a possible RAA by next year.

"Hopefully by next year, it is not easy to negotiate the RAA, and that's why we want a Defense Transformation Bill to come out because our staff is limited," he added.

However, despite the DND only having 267 employees, Teodoro said that negotiating and finishing the RAA with Japan is a big accomplishment.

"I'm very proud with what everybody is doing in this department despite its handicap so I hope our legislators listen and capacitate us so that we can do more," he added. 

(PNA)

Japan and the Philippines Sign a Defense Pact

11 Juli 2024

Japan can now deploy its forces to Philippines under Reciprocal Access Agreement (photo: AFP)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills in the Southeast Asian nation that came under Japanese occupation in World War II but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as both face an increasingly assertive China.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement, which similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a Manila ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It would take effect after ratification by the countries’ legislatures, Philippine and Japanese officials said.

The defense pact with the Philippines, which includes live-fire drills, is the first to be forged by Japan in Asia. Japan signed similar accords with Australia in 2022 and with Britain in 2023.

Under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan has taken steps to boost its security and defensive firepower, including a counterstrike capability that breaks from the country’s postwar principle of focusing only on self-defense. It’s doubling defense spending in a five-year period to 2027 to bolster its military power and make Japan the world’s third-biggest military spender after the United States and China.

Kishida’s moves dovetail with Marcos’ effort to forge security alliances to bolster the Philippine military’s limited ability to defend its territorial interests in the South China Sea.

The United States has also been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to better counter China, including in any future confrontation over Taiwan, and reassure its Asian allies. Japan and the Philippines are treaty allies of the U.S. and their leaders held three-way talks in April at the White House, where President Joe Biden renewed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to defend Japan and the Philippines.

Japan has had a longstanding territorial dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. Chinese and Philippine coast guard and navy ships, meanwhile, have been involved in a series of tense confrontations in the South China Sea since last year.

Japan and the United States were among the first to express alarm over the Chinese actions and call on Beijing to abide by international laws. Washington is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

See full article AP

Russia and Cambodia Signed the First Ever Military Agreement

29 Juni 2024

Royal Cambodian Army operates BMP-1 and T-55 MBT from Sovyet/Russia (photo: Khmer Times)

TSAMTO -- The Royal Cambodian Army and the Russian Ground Forces signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation between the armies of the two countries based on mutual respect and assistance.

The Cambodian portal Khmer Times reported this, as RIA Novosti reports.

According to the publication, this became “the first-ever military agreement between Cambodia and Russia.” On the Cambodian side, the memorandum was signed by Mao Sophan, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and commander of the country's Royal Army. M. Sofan visited Russia on a three-day official visit, during which he was received by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, General Oleg Salyukov.

Royal Cambodian Air Force owned the Soviet's era Mi-26T giant helicopter (photo: Nathalie)

“Both sides expressed pride in the friendly relations, trust and mutual respect inherited from the previous generation of leaders,” the Cambodian army said in a statement.

It is clarified that both sides highly appreciated the Cambodian-Russian military cooperation and pledged to strengthen interaction between the armies of the two countries.

"The Commanders of the Armed Forces of Cambodia and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen and expand ties to make them closer, more lasting and more trusting, based on equality and mutual benefit," the statement said. The Secretary General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, Jan Peu, said that military relations between Cambodia and Russia "will remain strong" despite the situation in Ukraine.

(TSAMTO)

RAF, RAAF Reactivate Squadron for F-35 Reprogramming Mission

06 Mei 2024

Reactivate No 80 Squadron at Eglin AFB (all photos: USAF)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The deep blacks, Royal blues and glimmering golds of dress uniforms were on display accompanied by a gunmetal-grey F-35A Lightning II as a backdrop during an old squadron’s reactivation ceremony April 15, 2024.

The Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force reactivated their former unit, No. 80 Squadron, in a reformation ceremony at Eglin.  The new unit, which also includes Royal Navy Sailors, was formerly known as the Australia Canada United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory.

Their mission is to provide mission data file programming for the Australian, Canadian, and United Kingdom F-35 variants.  Mission data is information across the electronic landscape that allows the aircraft and aircrew to sense, identify, locate, and counter threats in the electromagnetic spectrum.

The newly reformed squadron is one of many U.S. Air Force and international partners collaborating on the F-35 data mission at Eglin.

“Our success as a squadron isn’t possible without the unwavering support of the U.S. and the plethora of Eglin stakeholders, who will continue to support the squadron and its outstanding capability,” said Cdr. Chris Wilcox, No. 80 Squadron commander.

To mark this rare occasion, both country’s air force chiefs of staff attended the ceremony and inspected their personnel standing in three formations representing the RAF, RN and RAAF.

“Today marks a significant milestone as we come together to commemorate the reforming of not one, but two No. 80 Squadrons at Eglin,” Air Marshal Robert Chipman, RAAF Chief of Air Force.  “The decision to transition the Australia, Canada, and United Kingdom F-35 Reprogramming Laboratory into a squadron holds profound importance. It signifies that the people and the work they do is operationally relevant; it fosters unit identity and pride among our aviators.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, RAF Chief of the Air Staff, shared how significant the squadron’s mission is to the country’s air force mission and goals.

"Critical to our success in future air warfare will be the degree to which we can gain and maintain both air superiority and superiority across the electro-magnetic spectrum,” said Knighton “As we consider current vectors in the evolution of warfare, our expert coders and programmers, our digital specialists and data scientists will be just as important, or even more so, than our aircrew.”

For the RAF, the squadron’s name dates to 1917 and World War I.  The unit went inactive in 1969 before reforming this year.  The RAAF’s No. 80 Squadron began in 1943 during World War II and was deactivated in 1946.  The name is now active again 78 years later.

To conclude the ceremony the RAF and RAAF chiefs unveiled the new squadron crests to the crowd.  The crests are distinctive to their country’s service, but both contain the same motto emblazoned at the bottom – Strike True.

The Royal Canadian Air Force will join No. 80 Squadron in July 2024.

(Eglin AFB)

Passage of Priority AUKUS Submarine and Export Control Exemption Legislation by the United States Congress

22 Desember 2023

The US will provide two in-service submarines and one brand new Virginia class submarines to Australia (photo : US Navy)

Today the US Congress passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes substantial enabling provisions for Australia’s AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program.

The NDAA will also establish a national exemption for Australia and the United Kingdom from US defence export control licensing, and adds Australia and the United Kingdom to the US Defense Production Act. 

Specifically, the NDAA will:

-Authorise the transfer of three Virginia class submarines to Australia, including two in-service submarines and one off the production line. This significant contribution is vital to the pathway and will ensure there is no gap in Australia’s critical submarine capability in the lead up to delivering Australian-built SSN-AUKUS from the early 2040s. Australia will retain the option to seek congressional approval for purchase of up to two more Virginia class submarines.

-Authorise the maintenance of US submarines by Australians in Australia. This is a key component of the pathway, which includes increased port visits by UK and US nuclear-powered submarines, and will lead to a rotational presence from as early as 2027 under Submarine Rotational Force West (SRF-West). The most complex maintenance activity on a US nuclear-powered submarine in Australia to date is planned at HMAS Stirling in the second half of 2024.

-Authorise Australian contractors to train in US shipyards to support the development of Australia’s submarine industrial base. Australian industry workers, alongside APS and ADF personnel, will benefit from unprecedented opportunities to enhance their skills and qualifications in US shipyards.

A rendered image of the Virginia-class Block V attack submarine, which is destined to change undersea warfare (photo : General Dynamics)

-Establish a mechanism for the US to accept funds from Australia to lift the capacity of the submarine industrial base. Australia is committed to making a fair and proportionate investment in the US submarine industrial base to help us get boats in the water faster. This will lift US capacity to deliver Virginia class submarines to Australia as soon as possible. This investment will also complement Australia’s significant investment in our domestic submarine industrial base.

-Includea national exemption from US export control licencing requirements. This will be complemented by the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023, introduced into the Australian Parliament by the Albanese Government on 30 November 2023, and will allow the transfer of controlled goods and technology between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States without the need for an export licence. This is a significant step forward for Australian Defence Industry.

-Directs expedited decision-making for Foreign Military Sales and exports not covered by the national exemption. This includes a pre-clearance list and expedited decision process for Foreign Military Sales and a maximum of 45 days for a decision on exports not covered by the national exemption. This will expedite the delivery of critical defence capability.

-Adds Australia and the United Kingdom to Title III of the US Defense Production Act. This Act allows the US Government to incentivise its industrial base to expand the production and supply of critical materials and goods. Australia’s addition will open new opportunities for Australian based industry to directly compete for business with the US Government.

The Albanese Government welcomes the significant and tangible steps the US Congress and the Biden Administration have taken to deliver on its commitment to both Pillar I and Pillar II of AUKUS.

The NDAA will see the transfer of Virginia Class Submarines to Australia- the first time in the US’ history- and will streamline the flow of defence trade between AUKUS partners.

Spesification of Virginia-class submarine (infographic : Jakarta Post)

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“The US Congress has provided unprecedented support to Australia in passing the National Defense Authorization Act which will see the transfer of submarines and streamlined export control provisions, symbolising the strength of our Alliance, and our shared commitment to the AUKUS partnership.

“We are on the precipice of historic reform that will transform our ability to effectively deter, innovate, and operate together.

“AUKUS is a game-changer for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States – the legislation passed by US Congress will enhance our individual and collective capacity to support security, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

“I thank the United States Congress for their support for AUKUS.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“Australia’s alliance with the United States is unprecedented in scale, scope and significance, underscored by this momentous day for the AUKUS partnership which demonstrates the historic AUKUS agreement is being implemented at pace.

“The Congressional approval of the National Defense Authorization Act brings us closer to realising a generational opportunity to ensure Australia is best equipped to not only protect Australians and their interests but to also support stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.

“Crucially, the passage of the NDAA will revolutionise and enable unprecedented levels of collaboration, scientific, technological and industrial cooperation and co-development and paves the way for Australia to continue to build up its sovereign workforce capacity.”

(Aus DoD)

Biden Seals 3 Deals in Pacific Islands as U.S. Competes with China

28 Mei 2023

Palau, Micronesia and Papua New Guinea countries (image : GoogleMaps)

A U.S. diplomatic offensive to counter China's growing clout in the Pacific Islands appears to be paying dividends, with three agreements sealed within 48 hours.

The Biden administration has focused far more attention on the Pacific islands — new embassies, more aid, several high-level visits — since a security pact between China and the Solomon Islands spooked Washington last year.

The recent agreements with Papua New Guinea (PNG), Palau and Micronesia underscore that, for now, "it's still a heavily U.S.-leaning region," says Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation.

Secretary of State Tony Blinken and PNG Prime Minister James Marape signed a security pact Monday under which the U.S. will provide training and funding to help PNG's military respond to threats like drug trafficking and natural disasters.

President Biden intended to sign it himself in what would have been the first U.S. presidential visit to a Pacific Islands country, but he flew home from the G7 summit in Japan to deal with the debt ceiling crisis instead.

The U.S.-PNG agreement hasn't been published, but it's expected to give the U.S. military conditional access to bases, ports and airports in the country.

Ahead of the signing, student protesters and rival politicians in PNG accused Marape of sacrificing sovereignty and putting the country at the center of U.S.-China rivalry.

Marape pushed back, arguing that the agreement will strengthen PNG's defenses and won't stop the country from doing business with China, which has developed roads and other infrastructure projects in the country in recent years.

Beijing's Foreign Ministry didn't directly object to the deal but said Beijing opposes the "introduction of any geopolitical games" in the region.

Blinken oversaw another signing ceremony on Monday as Palau extended its Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the U.S. for another 20 years. Micronesia will follow suit tomorrow.

See full article Axios

4 New EDCA Sites to Allow 'Seamless' Response of US, PH Troops

07 April 2023

four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA) sites (image : Inquirer)

MANILA – The US Department of Defense (DOD) has announced the designation of four new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA) sites will allow the "seamless" response of American and Filipino forces to any "challenges" in the Indo-Pacific region.

The DOD will work closely with the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) and its Armed Forces to "rapidly pursue modernization projects at these locations," according to a statement posted on its website on Monday.

"In addition to the five existing sites, these new locations will strengthen the interoperability of the US and Philippine Armed Forces and allow us to respond more seamlessly together to address a range of shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including natural and humanitarian disasters," the DOD statement emphasized.

The Philippines earlier named Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; Balabac Island in Palawan; and Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan as the four additional EDCA locations.

"The naming of these locations follows a February 2023 announcement in which the United States and the Philippines committed to designate four new EDCA sites in strategic areas of the Philippines," the DOD noted.

It also added that it intends to expand funding on top of the USD82 million it has already allocated toward infrastructure investments at the existing EDCA sites.

"In addition to supporting Alliance commitments, these investments will also spur economic growth and job opportunities in their respective provinces," the DOD statement said.

"And we will continue to consult closely with the Philippines on new opportunities that serve our shared interests," it added.

Earlier, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the EDCA sites would not be American military bases but storage and warehouse facilities for military logistics.

This month, Filipino and American troops are scheduled to hold their largest-ever military exercise.

The Pentagon announced that the United States and the Philippines have agreed to review the full range of their maritime cooperation in the 2 + 2 meeting in Washington DC also this April.

The EDCA, signed in 2014, allows US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, and the right to build facilities and preposition equipment, aircraft and vessels, but rules out permanent basing.

It is a key pillar of the US-Philippines alliance, which supports combined training, exercises and interoperability between Filipino and American forces. 

(PNA)

PH, US Agree on 4 New EDCA Locations

02 Februari 2023

Previously US request for 5 additional locations/bases to be included in the PH-US EDCA (image : AFP)

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States agreed to designate four new locations to boost the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday.

"Today, the Philippines and the United States are proud to announce their plans to accelerate the full implementation of the EDCA with the full agreement to designate four new Agreed Locations in strategic areas of the country and the substantial completion of the projects in the existing five Agreed Locations," the DND said in a press statement.

This came shortly after the arrival of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III at the DND building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City for a meeting with his counterpart Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

The DND, however, did not identify the four new locations agreed upon by the two nations.

The EDCA is a key pillar of the US-Philippines alliance, which supports combined training, exercises, and interoperability between Filipino and American forces.

"Expansion of the EDCA will make our alliance stronger and more resilient, and will accelerate the modernization of our combined military capabilities," the DND added.

The addition of these new EDCA locations will allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines and respond to other shared challenges.

"The United States has allocated over USD82 million toward infrastructure investments at the existing five sites under the EDCA, and is proud that these investments are supporting economic growth and job creation in local Philippine communities," it added.

Manila and Washington DC have committed to moving quickly in agreeing to the necessary plans and investments for the new and existing EDCA locations.

"The Philippine-US alliance has stood the test of time and remains ironclad. We look forward to the opportunities these new sites will create to expand our cooperation together," the DND said.

Finalized after eight rounds of talks in August 2013, the EDCA which was signed in 2014 allows US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities, the right to build facilities, and preposition equipment, aircraft, and vessels, but rules out permanent basing.

Under the EDCA, the Philippine government is working with the US to build the future facilities in Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airfield in Cagayan de Oro City; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu. 

(PNA)

Presiden Jokowi Izinkan Singapura Latihan Militer di Laut Natuna

11 Januari 2023

Singapore Navy Fleet (photo : Sing Mindef)

Merdeka.com - Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) resmi menerbitkan Undang-Undang Nomor 3 Tahun 2023 tentang Perjanjian antara Pemerintah Republik Indonesia dan Pemerintah Republik Singapura tentang Kerja Sama Pertahanan, pada (3/1). Salah satu poin dalam UU tersebut yakni, mengizinkan Singapura, untuk menggelar latihan militer di Laut Natuna dan area di lain di Kepulauan Riau.

"Secara bersama atau masing-masing melaksanakan latihan dan pelatihan, operasi bersama, serta dukungan logistik antara kedua angkatan bersenjata termasuk akses bersama pada wilayah latihan dan fasilitas di bagian tertentu," demikian 1 dari 7 ruang lingkup kerja sama, pada UU yang diteken Jokowi.

RSN Formidable class frigates (photo : Sing Mindef)

Perjanjian pertahanan Indonesia dengan Singapura sudah dibuat pada April 2007 di Bali. Sehingga, UU Nomor 3 ini mengesahkan naskah perjanjian yang poin-poinnya sudah disepekati Menteri Pertahanan era Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), Juwono Sudarsono, dan Menteri Pertahanan Singapura kala itu, Teo Chee Hean.

Dalam naskah kerja sama ini, kedua negara mengakui bahwa Singapura memiliki keterbatasan geografis dan memiliki kebutuhan yang mendesak untuk daerah latihan.

RSN LMV Fleet (photo : RSN)

Aturan soal kerja sama latihan diatur dalam Pasal 3. Kedua negara menyepakati penetapan akses dan penggunaan wilayah udara dan laut lndonesia untuk latihan oleh Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura. Rincian Pasal 3 huruf b sebagai berikut:

1. Mengizinkan pesawat dari Angkatan Udara Singapura untuk melaksanakan test kelaikan terbang, pengecekan teknis dan latihan terbang dalam wilayah udara yang disebut Daerah Alpha Satu

2. Mengizinkan pesawat Angkatan Udara Singapura untuk melaksanakan latihan dan pelatihan militer di wilayah udara Indonesia di Daerah Alpha Dua

3. Mengizinkan kapal Angkatan Laut Singapura untuk melakukan manuver laut dan latihan termasuk latihan menembak dengan peluru tajam, bersama dengan pesawat Angkatan Udara Singapura, di wilayah udara dan perairan lndonesia pada Area Bravo

4. Angkatan Laut Singapura dengan dukungan Angkatan Udara Singapura dapat melaksanakan latihan menembak peluru kendali sampai dengan 4 kali latihan dalam setahun di Area Bravo. Angkatan Laut Singapura akan memberi informasi kepada TNI-AL apabila akan melaksanakan latihan menembak dengan peluru kendali.

Kapal selam Type 218SG dilengkapi Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) akan menggantikan empat Challenger-class dari layanan (photo : RSN)

Lalu, Pasal 3 huruf c dengan rincian sebagai berikut:

1. Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura dapat melaksanakan latihan atau berlatih dengan Angkatan Bersenjata dari negara lain di wilayah udara Indonesia pada daerah Alpha dua, dan di perairan dan wilayah udara Indonesia pada daerah Bravo, dengan persetujuan lndonesia.

2. Indonesia dapat melakukan peninjauan latihan dengan mengirim para peninjaunya. Indonesia dapat berpartisipasi pada latihan tersebut setelah berkonsultasi di antara Para Pihak (Indonesia dan Singapura)

3. Personel dan perlengkapan angkatan bersenjata dari negara lain yang melaksanakan latihan bersama Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura di wilayah udara dan perairan Indonesia akan diperlakukan sama seperti perlakuan pada personil dan perlengkapan Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura.

Singapore Navy Fleet (photo : RSN)

Sementara, peta wilayah yang menunjukkan Alpha Satu, Alpha Dua, dan Bravo, dilampirkan dalam naskah kerja sama ini. Alpha Satu berlokasi di barat Singapura, di sekitar Pulau Tebing Tinggi, Riau.

Alpha Dua dan Bravo di Laut Natuna. Alpha Dua di timur Singapura, di sekitar Laut Natuna.Kemudian Bravo di sekitar area barat daya, dari Pulau Sedanau, di Kepulauan Riau.

Di luar soal kerja sama latihan, ada pasal-pasal berikutnya yang mengatur perjanjian lain. Mulai dari Pasal 5 tentang pembentukan Komite Kerja Sama Pertahanan hingga Pasal 9 soal Yurisdiksi dan Klaim.

(Merdeka)

China dan Kepulauan Solomon Menandatangani Pakta Keamanan, yang Membuat Marah Australia dan Sekutu

24 April 2022

Kepulauan Solomon (image : GoogleMaps)

China telah menandatangani perjanjian kerja sama keamanan dengan Kepulauan Solomon, yang membuka jalan bagi Beijing untuk mengerahkan pasukan dan aset militernya di Pasifik Selatan.

Penandatanganan tersebut dikonfirmasi oleh juru bicara kementerian luar negeri China Wang Wenbin pada konferensi pers pada 19 April. Perjanjian tersebut ditandatangani oleh Menteri Luar Negeri China Wang Yi dan Menteri Luar Negeri dan Perdagangan Luar Negeri Kepulauan Solomon Jeremiah Manele, tambah Wang.

Pakta tersebut telah disebut sebagai “perjanjian kerangka kerja antar-pemerintah tentang kerja sama keamanan” tetapi Wang tidak mengungkapkannya ketika itu secara resmi disegel.

Sebagai bagian dari perjanjian, China dan Kepulauan Solomon akan bekerja sama di bidang-bidang seperti “pemeliharaan ketertiban sosial, perlindungan keselamatan jiwa dan harta benda, bantuan kemanusiaan, dan tanggap bencana alam”, kata Wang.

Beijing juga akan membantu Honiara di bidang pengembangan kapasitas “dalam menjaga keamanannya sendiri”, kata Wang, yang tidak memberikan perincian lebih lanjut tentang ini, hanya menambahkan bahwa pakta itu “terbuka, transparan, dan inklusif, dan tidak menargetkan siapa pun. pihak ketiga".

“Ini berjalan secara paralel dan melengkapi mekanisme kerjasama keamanan bilateral dan multilateral Kepulauan Solomon yang ada. China siap bekerja sama dengan negara-negara terkait untuk memanfaatkan kekuatan masing-masing untuk membentuk sinergi internasional,” tambahnya.

(Jane's)

Menteri Australia Desak Kepulauan Solomon Tidak Teken Pakta Keamanan dengan China

16 April 2022

Kepulauan Solomon di Pasifik (image : GoogleMaps)

SYDNEY - Menteri Pembangunan Internasional dan Pasifik Australia , Zed Seselja, bertemu dengan pemimpin Kepulauan Solomon pada Rabu (13/4/2022). Dalam pertemuan itu, Seselja meminta Solomon untuk tidak menandatangani perjanjian keamanan yang diusulkan antara negara kepulauan Pasifik itu dengan China. 

"Kami telah meminta Kepulauan Solomon dengan hormat untuk mempertimbangkan untuk tidak menandatangani perjanjian dan berkonsultasi dengan keluarga Pasifik dalam semangat keterbukaan dan transparansi regional, konsisten dengan kerangka keamanan kawasan kami," kata Seselja, seperti dikutip dari Reuters. 

Pernyataan ini dilontarkan Seselja setelah bertemu dengan Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare dan menteri lainnya. Seselja mengunjungi Honiara dengan dukungan dari Partai Buruh oposisi utama Australia. 

Pejabat dari China dan Kepulauan Solomon telah menyepakati, tetapi belum menandatangani pakta keamanan yang dikritik Australia, Selandia Baru, Amerika Serikat dan beberapa pulau tetangga Pasifik karena dianggap akan merusak stabilitas regional. 

Australia sendiri adalah mitra pembangunan utama Kepulauan Solomon dan akan mengalokasikan USD119 juta untuk mendukung tahun ini, Seselja menambahkan. 

"Kami menyambut baik pernyataan terbaru dari Perdana Menteri Sogavare bahwa Australia tetap menjadi mitra keamanan pilihan Kepulauan Solomon, dan komitmennya bahwa Kepulauan Solomon tidak akan pernah digunakan untuk pangkalan militer atau institusi militer kekuatan asing lainnya," lanjutnya. 

Pakta Keamanan Kontroversial Pada hari Selasa, sebuah memo bocor dan muncul di media sosial yang menunjukkan bahwa pemerintah China telah memberi tahu Kepulauan Solomon pada bulan Desember bahwa mereka ingin mengirim tim keamanan yang terdiri dari 10 polisi China dengan senjata, termasuk senapan sniper, senapan mesin, dan perangkat pendengar listrik untuk melindungi staf kedutaan di kerusuhan di Honiara pada bulan November. 

Pemerintah Kepulauan Solomon mengatakan dalam sebuah pernyataan pada hari Rabu bahwa tidak ada senjata China yang masuk ke negara itu, selain pengiriman senjata replika yang digunakan oleh petugas pelatihan polisi China. 

“Permintaan Kedutaan China pada Desember "ditahan" karena pemerintah terus memantau situasi keamanan setelah kerusuhan November melihat gedung-gedung dibakar,” kata pernyataan dari kantor Sogavare. 

"Itu adalah babak gelap dalam sejarah Kepulauan Solomon di mana Pasukan Polisi setempat kewalahan selama periode kerusuhan dan sebagai Negara kami tidak dalam posisi untuk menjamin keselamatan dan keamanan personel diplomatik residen khususnya diplomat Republik Rakyat Tiongkok," lanjut pernyataan itu. 

Polisi Australia dikirim ke Kepulauan Solomon setelah kerusuhan, dan Seselja mengatakan mereka telah berhasil memulihkan ketenangan, bertindak di bawah arahan Kepolisian Kepulauan Kerajaan Solomon. 

Draf terpisah dari pakta keamanan dengan China bulan lalu menunjukkan bahwa itu akan memungkinkan polisi dan perwira militer China untuk melindungi perusahaan dan infrastruktur, dan memungkinkan kapal Angkatan Laut untuk mengisi kembali di Honiara. 

Canberra khawatir perjanjian keamanan, yang tidak dipublikasikan, bisa menjadi langkah menuju kehadiran militer China dalam jarak kurang dari 2.000 km dari Australia.

(SindoNews)

Australia and India Reaffirm Their Commitment to Enhancing Naval Ties

23 Agustus 2021

Stealth frigate INS Sahyadri, missile corvette INS Karmuk and HMAS Howard AWD in joint exercise (photo : Indian Navy)

The Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy have reaffirmed their strong ties and continued commitment to working closely together to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. 

Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, and Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral Karambir Singh have signed a new Joint Guidance for the Australia – India ‘Navy to Navy’ relationship.

“We are proud to sign a new shared vision for working even closer with the Indian Navy to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity in our region,” Vice Admiral Michael Noonan said.

“Our predecessors signed a Joint Guidance in New Delhi in 2007 and since then, our relationship has grown significantly in scope and sophistication.

“We look forward to even stronger ties between our two navies in the decades ahead,” Vice Admiral Noonan said.

The Joint Guidance outlines a shared intent to conduct regular talks, professional exchanges, and joint training.

It also outlines an intent to collaborate in efforts, including search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief where required.

The Joint Guidance aligns with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed by Australia and India in 2020.

(Aus DoD)

US Welcomes Postponed VFA Termination

15 Juni 2021

Philippine Marines simulate a beach landing exercise as part of their annual joint naval exercises with the US, 2015 (photo : AFP)

MANILA – The United States government welcomed on Tuesday President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to postpone the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for six more months.

In a statement sent to reporters, the US Embassy in Manila said, "Our alliance continues to contribute not only to the security of our two nations but also strengthens the rules-based order that benefits all nations in the Indo-Pacific."

The suspension was extended while Duterte studies and both sides further address his concerns regarding particular aspects of the accord.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who announced the Chief Executive's decision on Monday night, however, did not elaborate what specific aspects of the deal are being studied.

The VFA, established in 1999, provides a framework for defense forces cooperation that allows joint exercises between the Philippines and the US.

In February 2020, Duterte notified the US that the Philippines would formally terminate the agreement.

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the government in June 2020 suspended the abrogation for six months.

It was postponed for the second time in November 2020 to allow both nations "to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in our mutual defense."

(PNA)