Under the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, investment and development are shifting toward northern Australia. This aims to reposition Defence capabilities and build a stronger network of ports and barracks. While often seen as deterrence, this can also boost international cooperation and regional stability, especially by improving access for Indonesia, Australia’s closest and most strategic northern neighbour. To access areas of interest in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea, most Australian naval assets must traverse the Indonesian archipelago. Furthermore, the Royal Australian Navy submarine fleet is crucially dependent on sea lines of communication through Indonesia when proceeding to those regions. Maintaining a strong relationship with Indonesia and ensuring increased securitisation of the Timor and Arafura Seas is in the best interest of the Australian Defence Force and Australia more broadly.
Northern Australian defence infrastructure can support cooperation with Indonesia | The Strategist
