Prabowo explained that the agreement has a binding nature as a form of serious commitment between the two countries to improve and strengthen defense relations within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Magelang, Central Java (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles signed the Indonesia-Australia Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) at the Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang on Thursday.

"We have just signed a defense cooperation agreement. This agreement can assist us to overcome various security threats," Prabowo remarked at the event.

According to Prabowo, the DCA signifies the two countries' willingness to continue and maintain friendly relations.

"I am determined to maintain relations with Australia to be better in the future," he remarked.

He also emphasized that the DCA is not a military pact but rather a cooperation agreement for closer partnership in the defense sector between both nations.

Meanwhile, Minister Marles said he was cognizant of Indonesia's free and active political policy. Hence, its position will remain as a non-aligned country.

Prabowo explained that the agreement has a binding nature as a form of serious commitment between the two countries to improve and strengthen defense relations within the framework of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Prabowo stated that the consideration for upgrading the status of DCA to a legally binding agreement is based on the intensity of increasing military cooperation activities between Indonesia and Australia over the past decade, especially in the fields of education and training.

He explained that this was demonstrated by the sending of Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) troops to study at the Australian Defence Forces Academy (ADFA) and the Royal Military College, Duntroon; the Joint UN Mission plan between the TNI and ADF; and by increasing the intensity of joint exercises (LATMA), both between services and a combination of the three services of the two countries.

Prabowo said his side, along with other Indonesian ministries and institutions, held more than 30 coordination meetings since March 2023 to prepare the draft of this agreement.

Negotiations on the draft agreement have been carried out through a series of meetings in Jakarta in May and December, along with a meeting in Canberra in August 2023.

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Translator: Heru Suyitno, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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