Key facts
- Australia's ambassador to Japan, Andrew Shearer, suggested a cooperative security framework for the Indo-Pacific.
- The proposed framework aims to involve middle powers like India and South Korea.
- This initiative is intended to counter China's growing influence in the region.
- Japan and Australia have agreed to jointly develop new warships for the Australian Navy.
- The joint warship development will be based on Japan's Mogami-class frigate.
- Both countries are enhancing their security cooperation due to concerns about U.S. inward-looking policies.
Andrew Shearer, Australia's ambassador to Japan, has proposed the creation of a cooperative security framework within the Indo-Pacific region. This initiative aims to engage middle powers, including India and South Korea, as a means to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the region and to complement existing security ties with the United States.
This proposal comes as Japan and Australia are deepening their own security cooperation. Foreign and defense ministers from both nations met in Tokyo to discuss strategies to counter China's growing military presence. A significant outcome of these discussions was a landmark agreement for the joint development of new warships for the Australian Navy. This project will be based on an upgraded version of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Mogami-class frigate, a bid that was chosen over a German competitor. This collaboration is being hailed as a major milestone, representing the largest joint project between the defense industries of Japan and Australia.
Further discussions between the Japanese and Australian governments included plans for Australian destroyers to utilize a Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka for resupply and maintenance, and for the Air Self-Defense Force to participate in Royal Australian Air Force drone testing. Additionally, the two governments are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding concerning the cooperation on evacuating their citizens from other countries during emergencies. This would be Japan's second such agreement, following a similar one with South Korea.
Both Japan and Australia are key allies of the United States in the Indo-Pacific. However, there are concerns that the U.S. administration's "America First" policy may lead to a more inward-looking approach. Consequently, Japan and Australia are strengthening their bilateral relationship to collectively keep China in check.