The Philippine and Australian governments have reaffirmed their defense cooperation through the signing of the Statement of Intent on Enhanced Defense Cooperation, during the Philippines–Australia Defense Ministers’ Meeting held in Manila.

National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles recognized progress towards updating the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperative Defense Activities.

In a joint statement both Defense chiefs committed to deepening defense cooperation between the two countries “amidst the challenging security environment, increasing strategic competition and unprecedented military build-up taking place in the Indo-Pacific without reassurance or transparency.”

They added that the defense cooperation between the two ally nations is a “vital pillar of the Philippines–Australia Strategic Partnership.”

Teodoro and Marles underscored the importance of a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region where sovereignty is respected, international law is adhered to, and nations exercise their rights free from coercion.

The two officials said they have reviewed the progress of bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries.

In particular, Teodoro and Marles welcomed developing enhanced frameworks while strengthening the implementation of existing agreements, particularly the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), the Mutual Logistic Support Arrangement (MLSA), and the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Industry Cooperation and Logistics (LDIC).

Both sides also agreed to undertake projects that increase our combined collective capability, enhance interoperability, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation.

“These projects will strengthen the Philippines’ territorial defense capabilities in line with its Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept and the Philippines will maintain full sovereignty over all its sites,” they said.

Teodoro and Marles recognized progress towards updating the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperative Defense Activities.

Through the signing of the Statement of Intent on Enhanced Defense Cooperation, the Philippine and Australian Defense chief agreed to:

• Develop an enhanced bilateral defense cooperation framework focusing on priority areas to guide defense cooperation activities, training, and interoperability;
• Strengthen and synchronize bilateral defense and military dialogue architecture;
• Develop a framework for enhancing the exchange of information between our defense organizations;
• Deepen mutual understanding and frameworks for defense cooperation in search and rescue procedures, maritime domain awareness, and the professional practice of accredited Australian Defence Force personnel; and
• Progress arrangements for Australia’s construction, use, upgrade, and maintenance of defense infrastructure in the Philippines, consistent with Philippine sovereignty and ownership.

The Defense chiefs also reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN centrality in the regional security architecture and emphasized the importance of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus as a platform for practical cooperation and confidence-building.