INDONESIA, RAKYAT NEWS- In a significant development for regional security, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles are set to sign a landmark Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) at the Indonesian Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java. August, 29.

This agreement marks a culmination of nearly six decades of evolving defense collaboration between the two nations.

The signing ceremony, scheduled for 11:15 AM WIB, will be attended by senior officials from the foreign ministries and armed forces of both countries.

The DCA signifies a major enhancement of existing military cooperation, formalizing it into a legally binding agreement. It underscores the strengthened military ties and joint educational initiatives, such as the training of Indonesian cadets at the Australian Defence Forces Academy and The Royal Military College at Duntroon.

Additionally, it paves the way for a potential joint peacekeeping mission under the United Nations.

The negotiations, which took place alternately in Jakarta and Canberra throughout 2023, were finalized on August 20, 2024.

The agreement was publicly announced by Minister Prabowo and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australian Parliament House.

Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the historic nature of the agreement, noting that it would bolster defense cooperation through enhanced dialogue and interoperability, contributing to regional stability. (Uki Ruknuddin)