Australia signs defence deal with the Philippines

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Australia signed a defence pact with the Philippines on Sunday that Manila said ​would lower bureaucratic hurdles to joint military activities and strengthen protections in the ...

Australia signed a defence pact with the Philippines on Sunday that Manila said ​would lower bureaucratic hurdles to joint military activities and strengthen protections in the South China Sea.

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro described the deal as an “anti-red tape measure” that would also bolster the Philippines’ “credible deterrence posture” (Reuters).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese witnessed the ​signing of the deal in Manila, where he announced further investment​in drone technology, equipment ​and training aimed at improving detection of maritime and cybersecurity threats (Reuters).

The pact will bolster support for the Philippines in contested waters, where both China and the Philippines have accused each other of provoking tensions (SMH).

Asked whether Sunday’s announcement was sending a message to China, Albanese said it “isn’t aimed at any one country” and was about “supporting sovereignty of every country” (SMH).

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