Latest news with #defenceties
South China Morning Post
17-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Is Philippines' debut in Australia-US war games the ‘new normal' in regional defence ties?
The Philippines is taking part for the first time in Australia 's largest bilateral military exercises with the United States , joining thousands of troops from across the region for war games running until July 27. Analysts say the move reflects Manila's broader strategy of reinforcing defence ties, not just with Washington but also with like-minded regional powers, as US allies increasingly seek to diversify their security relationships and assert greater strategic autonomy amid uncertainty over US President Donald Trump 's foreign policy. Thirty-two personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines are taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, which is being held in several Australian cities, including Rockhampton, Townsville, Brisbane and Sydney. The biennial drills feature more than 35,000 troops from 19 nations, including Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom. The exercises are reportedly expected to draw surveillance from China, and also mark the use of Australia's newly acquired M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, a long-range weapon system the country has recently purchased from the US. Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, chief of the armed forces' public affairs office, said Manila's participation 'reflects the Philippines' commitment to regional peace and security and further strengthens military ties with key allies and defence partners'.
SBS Australia
15-05-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
'Destined to be neighbours': PM makes first overseas visit to Indonesia
A grand procession, a military band and a colossal cavalry adding to Jakarta's trademark traffic congestion as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is welcomed to Indonesia by dozens of soldiers on horseback, around 3,000 schoolchildren waving flags, and a military ceremony. The visit has been a tradition of elected Australian leaders - for more than two decades: "It's wonderful that this is the first of my bilateral visits following our election victory." Mr Albanese's Labor Party secured a second term in a landslide win, defeating opposition leader Peter Dutton, who had proposed breaking tradition by visiting Washington first to pursue a better tariff deal with Donald Trump. President Prabowo Subianto told Mr Albanese the two countries were destined to be close: "The fact that we are neighbours has never been decided by us, it has been decided by the universe. We are destined to be neighbours." Neighbours - who indulge in late night conversations. After Anthony Albanese's Wednesday arrival President Subianto dropped in to the Prime Minister's hotel suite. "And we had a really good chat about elections, about the state of the world, and it was very... it was a great honour. " The chat kept coming, today's opening one on one - running overtime by more than an hour. Mr Albanese urged President Prabowo to forge closer defence ties with Australia, after an agreement was struck last year covering maritime security, counter-terrorism and disaster response. But afternoon discussions on regional security were overshadowed by a reported Russian ploy to base military aircraft within Indonesia's borders, which was rejected by the Prabowo administration - who have also fostered a friendly relationship with Moscow. Albanese: "Indonesia's answer is no it was very clear." Journalist: "But was the question asked?" Albanese: "They've made it very clear, not for me to comment on what occurs between countries that are not Australia." Australia wants to increase economic ties with Southeast Asia, as it seeks to diversify export markets to reduce reliance on China, and in response to trade uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs. "Security is built on the sovereignty of every nation and for the rules that govern all nations, and all of us that have benefited from this framework share a responsibility to maintain it and strengthen it." While Australia and Indonesia signed defence agreements in the past, Mr Albanese says it was only a starting point for the relationship. Signed on the sidelines by Foreign Minister Penny Wong was a strategic plan of action to deepen economic engagement and drive closer ties through sport, and conflict prevention. The prime minister has spent the day talking up Indonesia's economic and strategic importance to Australia, and doing his best to avoid controversial issues. Elected last year, President Prabowo has faced rolling protests over his austerity drive, while rights groups claim his reforms undermine democratic institutions. In terms of the economy, Indonesia's middle class shrank in the last year. So does the Prime Minister have any concerns, both economically and politically, that Indonesia may not be tracking in the right direction? "I think President Prabowo was elected overwhelmingly in what was really an important democratic process here in Indonesia, and that should be respected. " Mr Albanese's next stop will be Rome, for the new Pope's Inauguration Mass, where he will invite Pope Leo to Australia for the 54th International Eucharistic Congress in 2028. His final stop before returning home will be Singapore on Tuesday [[May 20]] to meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
