A renewed defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and Australia was formally executed on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at the Eva Macapagal Cruise Terminal at Pier 15, Manila South Harbor, ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit.
Officials Ink Renewed Defense Framework
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Marc Innes-Brown signed the renewed bilateral Defense Cooperation Arrangement (DCA), with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese present as witness, the DND reported.
According to the DND, the renewed DCA follows 30 years of implementation of the 1995 DCA. The renewed DCA provides a basis for further enhancing defense engagements and cooperation in areas of mutual interest, building on existing bilateral arrangements.
Streamlined Coordination Under the New Deal
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the signing event, Secretary Teodoro said the renewed DCA will streamline the coordination process under the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).
"It will make things much, much faster and easier. Rather than 100 steps to do a single thing, it will just now take 10. And it will be more purposive and not ad hoc," Teodoro said.
Roots Traced to August 2025 Statement of Intent
The DCA builds on the Statement of Intent on Enhanced Defense Cooperation that Secretary Teodoro and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles signed on August 22, 2025. The statement recognized the need for an updated framework reflecting the breadth, depth, and growing importance of defense cooperation amid an increasingly complex regional security environment.
Timed to ASEAN Hosting and an 80-Year Diplomatic Milestone
The signing took place ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines is hosting as the current ASEAN Chair. The signing also coincides with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Australia, marking eight decades of longstanding ties and cooperation.
Source: Department of National Defense