Australia and the Philippines signed the Australia–Philippines Defence Cooperation Arrangement in Manila on Nov. 15, setting a broader bilateral agenda amid a separate regional defense effort involving the United States.
The signing coincided with the opening of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' 49th summit in Manila, the ASEAN Secretariat said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessed the signing, according to the Australian government.
The new arrangement supersedes a bilateral memorandum from 1995. It sets priorities for maritime activity and information exchange, and also names strategic dialogue, military planning, training, interoperability and defense infrastructure. The list combines diplomatic coordination with practical cooperation between the two countries.
Australia also pledged investment in Australia's Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships, which supports regional partners' maritime awareness and cyber resilience. The assistance includes drones, secure communications and operator training. The Australian government said it is intended to strengthen security along heavily used maritime routes that carry trade and support Australian commerce.
An August joint statement from Australian and Philippine defense ministers said they were working to modernize their 1995 defense cooperation memorandum. It also noted dangerous conduct toward Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.
The signing follows an Oct. 28 meeting in Cebu involving defense leaders from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States. In a joint statement, the four governments committed to bolstering deterrence, establishing a combined coordination center in the Philippines and expanding joint exercises. The commitment places the United States alongside Canberra and Manila in a separate regional defense effort.
Albanese said, “This isn't aimed at any one country,” describing the arrangement as support for sovereignty and regional peace. He said he was scheduled to meet Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday.
The countries' August statement scheduled their next defense ministers' meeting for 2027.
