Part of a Regional Strategy

The deal with Jakarta is the fourth security treaty Australia has signed in recent months, part of a wider diplomatic effort to reinforce alliances across the Indo-Pacific amid ongoing competition from Beijing.

In October, Canberra struck a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap with India to advance naval cooperation and renew the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation.

That same month, it signed an Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement with Singapore, expanding reciprocal access to military facilities and deepening collaboration in defence science, logistics, and professional training.

And in September, Australia concluded the Mutual Defence Treaty with Papua New Guinea—the “Pukpuk Treaty”—formally committing both nations to act if one is attacked and broadening training and interoperability.

The new treaty with Indonesia also underscores Canberra’s response to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) expanding military and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific.

Earlier this year, Albanese pledged $15 million over four years to enhance maritime cooperation with Indonesia, including a new annual dialogue on maritime security.

The initiative came amid reports—denied by Jakarta but published by defence journal Janes—that Russia had explored basing military aircraft in Indonesia’s easternmost province, heightening concerns over foreign involvement in the region.

To reinforce ties, Australia has committed $100 million to strengthen Indonesia’s health system, $3.5 million for anti-malaria drugs for its military, and $50 million through the Fund for Green Infrastructure to drive clean-energy investment.

Canberra is also backing Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, in its bid to join the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds.

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