Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles will travel to Malaysia and the Philippines this week, underscoring Canberra’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation with key regional partners.
In Malaysia, Marles will co-chair the 5th Malaysia-Australia High Level Committee on Defence Cooperation with Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, reaffirming the countries’ longstanding partnership rooted in the Five Power Defence Arrangements and shared military history.
In the Philippines, Marles will meet with Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for the 2nd Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers’ Meeting, focused on capacity-building, interoperability, and security cooperation. He will also visit Australian personnel participating in Exercise Alon 25, Australia’s largest overseas joint training activity this year.
“Malaysia is one of Australia’s closest partners, and I look forward to discussing our shared commitment to peace and security,” Marles said. “In Manila, I look forward to strengthening our growing defence partnership with Secretary Teodoro, particularly through Exercise Alon, which reflects our shared resolve for a secure and prosperous region where sovereignty is respected.”
