Australian and Indonesian leaders signed an agreement in February 2026 that solidifies and advances previous security accords between the neighboring nations.
The Treaty on Common Security was endorsed in Jakarta, three months after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced the conclusion of negotiations on the pact. The treaty supports security agreements signed in 1995 and 2006.
Albanese hailed the signing as furthering security and defense cooperation. “It demonstrates the strength of our partnership and the depth of our trust,” he said at a news conference with Prabowo. “This agreement signals that Australia and Indonesia’s relationship is stronger than it has ever been.”
Albanese’s three-day state visit to Jakarta was part of Canberra’s push to expand bilateral cooperation beyond security into trade, investment, education and development.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who accompanied Albanese, described the treaty as the most important step in the nations’ partnership in three decades.
Prabowo called Australia “one of Indonesia’s closest neighbors and a strategic partner,” saying the agreement “reflects our shared resolve to work closely to safeguard our respective national security and to make a concrete contribution to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
“Indonesia and Australia are destined to live side by side, and we choose to build that relationship on mutual trust and good faith,” he said. “We believe this treaty will be a key pillar for stability and cooperation in our region.”
Albanese said regional peace and stability are best achieved by acting together, and announced security initiatives including embedding a senior Indonesian officer in the Australian Defence Force, supporting joint defense training and expanding military education exchanges.
Australia’s longtime allies include New Zealand and the United States, and Canberra recently signed a mutual defense treaty with Papua New Guinea. Indonesia has a nonalignment policy.
The treaty with Australia “reflects our full commitment to the good neighbor principles and our free and active foreign policy,” Prabowo said.
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