JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia and Australia have signed a defense agreement that marks a significant upgrade to their military relationship. The Defense Cooperation Agreement was signed by Indonesia’s president-elect, who also serves as defense minister, and the Australian Defense Minister at Indonesia’s National Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java province.
The agreement, described as an important piece of international architecture, is not a military alliance but aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Both nations plan to conduct their largest joint military exercise in November, which will be Australia's largest overseas exercise of the year.
