Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin strengthened military cooperation with Australia and Papua New Guinea during a trilateral meeting in Papua New Guinea on Wednesday.
“Such meetings are essential to advancing and expanding defense collaboration among our nations,” Sjafrie said in a statement received in Jakarta.
He described the talks as a strategic government agenda with the potential to deliver important progress in defense dialogue.
The cooperation aims to enhance security and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
Sjafrie noted that the meeting could open pathways for deeper strategic partnerships and stronger mutual trust in defense.
The trilateral gathering was attended by Papua New Guinea Defense Minister Billy Joseph and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Indonesia and Australia recently reaffirmed their bilateral Defence Cooperation Arrangement (DCA), signed in August 2024, which includes joint exercises, personnel exchanges, and expanded defense dialogue.
In October 2025, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) held high-level talks on joint training and operations at Lanud Leo Wattimena in Morotai.
The two countries also conducted the Bhakti Kanyini Ausindo 2025 tsunami mitigation exercise in Banten, underscoring closer defense and humanitarian cooperation.
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have also taken concrete steps to deepen defense cooperation. During a meeting in Port Moresby on July 7, 2025, Sjafrie and PNG Defense Minister Billy M Joseph discussed accelerating a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement through a joint working group.
The agreement outlines plans for joint military training, personnel exchanges for education and training, and potential collaboration on military technology and operational readiness.
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Translator: Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Primayanti
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