SECURITY AND DEFENCE RELATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND INDONESIA FROM THE EARLY 21ST CENTURY TO THE PRESENT
Main Article Content
Abstract
The security and defense relations between Australia and Indonesia has experienced numerous fluctuations over time. However, from the beginning of the 21st century to the present, under the influence of shared concerns such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, and shifts in the regional balance of power, the momentum for bilateral relations has truly increased significantly. This paper analyzes the state of Australia - Indonesia security and defense relations between 2001 and 2026, focusing on key events such as the Bali bombings (2002), the Lombok Agreement (2006), the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA 2024), and the Mutual Security Treaty (2026), against the backdrop of a reshaping regional security structure driven by great power competition. The study employs a qualitative approach, applying the Regional Security Complex (RSCT) theory and hedging strategies to explain bilateral interactions. The results show that Australia and Indonesia have strengthened security and defense cooperation as a crucial part of their proactive deterrence strategy. The signing and implementation of the DCA 2024 and the Jakarta Treaty 2026 have significantly narrowed the "Bandung divide" in bilateral relations under the pressure of great power competition in the Indo-Pacific.
Keywords
Australia - Indonesia relations, security and defense, current situation
Article Details
References
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