JAKARTA – Indonesia and Australia aim to deepen security ties through new trilateral frameworks involving Japan and Papua New Guinea, Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announced Thursday after talks in Jakarta with his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles.
“Trilateral cooperation will advance between Indonesia, Australia, and Japan,” Sjamsoeddin told reporters. A parallel arrangement would link Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.
The ministers explored reviving a World War II-era defense training site on Morotai island in North Maluku, eastern Indonesia. Sjamsoeddin suggested opening it to forces from Japan, Australia, the Philippines, and Singapore.
Bilateral momentum builds on February’s defence treaty signed in Jakarta. Australia’s regional outreach accelerates amid China’s growing influence, including a 2025 defence pact with Papua New Guinea that formalized their alliance.