Foreign Partner Cooperation
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Partnerships
India-Philippines defense talks focus on coproduction, maritime security
Mandeep Singh India and the Philippines further solidified their defense relationship during the fifth Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Manila in September 2024. Co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Philippine Senior Undersecretary for Defense Irineo Cruz Espino, the meeting emphasized cooperation in defense production, regional security and strategic collaboration against a backdrop of shared concerns over…
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Partnerships
Indonesia-Vietnam meetings signal enhanced defense, regional security cooperation
Tom Abke Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s recent visit to Vietnam marked a significant step in strengthening defense ties between the two Southeast Asian nations as they prepare to upgrade relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2025. Prabowo met with Vietnamese leaders, including recently appointed President Tô Lâm, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman…
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Northeast Asia
Japan, South Korea, U.S. move to formalize trilateral partnership
Sentry Staff Japan, South Korea and the United States have agreed to finalize establishment of a trilateral cooperation secretariat — formally institutionalizing the nations’ collaboration and providing continuity as Japan and the U.S. prepare for leadership changes, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “Today’s meeting is very important for three reasons,” said South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul,…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Military leaders, civilian defense authorities meet to enhance Indo-Pacific security, stability
FORUM Staff Defense leaders from 28 countries and multinational organizations met in Hawaii in September 2024 to discuss Indo-Pacific security concerns. The annual Chiefs of Defense (CHOD) conference drew upon the collective wisdom of participants and strengthened professional and personal relationships. The three-day conference in Kona included representatives from Asia, Europe, the Pacific Islands, North America and South America. Participants…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Quad leaders to expand maritime security cooperation in face of PRC aggression
FORUM Staff Australia, India, Japan and the United States will launch joint Coast Guard patrols in the Indo-Pacific in 2025. The enhanced security cooperation will improve interoperability and boost maritime safety, the leaders of the four member nations of the Quadrilateral partnership, or Quad, announced after their late September 2024 summit in the U.S. The initial Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission…
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Conflicts - Tensions
Allies, Partners conduct joint naval exercises in South China Sea for Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Reuters The armed forces of five Allies and Partners conducted joint maritime exercises in a portion of the South China Sea in late September. New Zealand joined for the first time. Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States also participated in the exercises in Manila’s exclusive economic zone that sought to improve the militaries’ interoperability, the Armed Forces of…
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Northeast Asia
Canada, South Korea expand defense industry collaboration, eye joint security initiatives
Felix Kim Canada and South Korea are advancing defense cooperation in line with their comprehensive strategic partnership and shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. During his September 2024 visit to Seoul, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair reaffirmed his nation’s long-standing commitment to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. He noted that since the 1950-53 Korean War, in which more…
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Northeast Asia
Indonesia’s multilateral military exercise a ‘Super’ success
FORUM Staff The 2024 Super Garuda Shield multinational military exercise in Java, Indonesia, enhanced Indo-Pacific nations’ interoperability and fostered goodwill among service members from 10 participating countries, as well as 12 observing nations and local communities. Primarily, it strengthened partner forces’ capability to work cohesively across multiple domains. The 12-day exercise hosted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) rehearsed…
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Partnerships
Inaugural Tarang Shakti exercise shows air forces’ interoperability for Free and Open Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff Fighter jets from 10 countries gathered recently at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan, India, for the inaugural Tarang Shakti, the Indian Air Force-led exercise to foster multinational defense cooperation. The exercise’s second phase was from August 30 to September 14, 2024. It was designed to enhance interoperability in counter air, reconnaissance, airlift, air defense and close air…
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Northeast Asia
South Korean defense expert shares insights on deterrence efforts, important alliances
Sentry Staff Dr. Hyeongpil Ham, a retired Republic of Korea colonel, has worked for more than 30 years at South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. He led South Korea’s governmental task force responsible for addressing North Korea’s nuclear threats and developing South Korea’s deterrence and defense strategy. He…
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