Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. held the 3rd Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers' Meeting in Darwin, Australia on 7 August 2026. The principals underlined the strength of the bilateral relationship, in the 80th year of diplomatic relations, and the important contribution defence makes to our Strategic Partnership.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary reaffirmed their commitment to deepening Australia - Philippines defence cooperation and strengthening our security partnership in the Indo-Pacific. They noted the trends driving the deterioration of our strategic environment have broadened and intensified. They further underscored the importance of working together to uphold international law and the rules-based order so that nations can exercise their rights free from coercion.
The principals reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN centrality in the regional security architecture and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) as a platform for practical cooperation, strategic dialogue and confidence-building to prevent and address common security challenges. Reflecting on 2026 as the Philippines' ASEAN Chair year, both sides shared perspectives ahead of ministerial-level discussions in October 2026. The principals expressed their commitment to increase multilateral defence cooperation through the ASEAN-led regional architecture, including by participating in the Joint Cooperative Activity under the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus Experts' Working Group on Maritime Security, scheduled to be held in September 2026.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary expressed serious concern over the situation in the South China Sea, particularly China's vessels engaging in destabilising and dangerous conduct towards Philippine vessels. They expressed concern regarding recent dangerous actions taken by China's Coast Guard at Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in injuries to Philippine Navy personnel. They also expressed serious concerns about behaviour that is aggressive and destabilising, including water cannoning and ramming of vessels, which risks escalation and miscalculation. Principals expressed their shared expectations that all militaries and maritime force operate professionally and safely.
The principals highlighted that 2026 marked the tenth anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which handed down a unanimous, clear, and binding ruling in the South China Sea arbitration between the Philippines and China. The principals underscored the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea consistent with UNCLOS. They emphasised the need for all states to pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law. They resolved to continue working together, and with partners, to uphold international law and support regional maritime security. The principals emphasised that UNCLOS provides the comprehensive legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas and underscored states must not take actions that undermine UNCLOS or affect other states' enjoyment of rights under UNCLOS.
Recalling the Statement of Intent on Enhanced Defense Cooperation signed in 2025, in which Australia and the Philippines committed to updating the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary welcomed the progress made towards concluding the Australia-Philippines Defence Cooperation Arrangement (DCA), which will supersede and modernise the 1995 MoU. The Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister agreed the DCA will set the contemporary bilateral defence framework.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary discussed enhanced cooperation on defence infrastructure development in the Philippines. Both sides welcomed progress made on a first tranche of infrastructure projects which will increase our combined collective capability, enhance interoperability, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation. The principals discussed further potential works, and the positive contribution these projects will make to strengthening the Philippines' territorial defence capabilities in line with its Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary reiterated that the Philippines will maintain full sovereignty over all its sites.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary reaffirmed the importance of regional defence cooperation in promoting the collective security and stability of the Indo-Pacific. Principals welcomed the enhanced operational cooperation demonstrated through regular Maritime Cooperative Activities in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone, and enabled by the Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Cooperation Council. The signing of the Terms of Reference for the Defence Cooperation Council at the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2026 paves the way for enhanced information sharing and accelerated interoperability to bolster our cooperative activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary welcomed the close coordination with like-minded partners in joint exercises that strengthen collective deterrence, uphold the rules-based international order, and support the region's security. The principals welcomed continued participation of both armed forces in key bilateral and multilateral exercises, including Exercises BALIKATAN, PITCH BLACK, and CARABAROO in 2026, and Exercise ALON in 2027. Both sides emphasised the value of increasing the complexity of such activities to address shared security challenges.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary welcomed growing cooperation on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, including Philippine support for Australia's MC-55A Peregrine capability. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed Australia's appreciation for the Philippines' cooperation on access arrangements, recognising these as practical enablers of closer defence cooperation. Both sides noted that this collaboration will strengthen interoperability, enhance shared situational awareness, and contribute to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary expressed concern about China's recent test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile from the South China Sea, flying over the Philippines and into the Pacific on 6 July 2026. Ministers called on all relevant countries to commit to participate in arrangements for providing appropriate advance notification of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles to affected states. Ministers re-affirmed expectations that all regional partners maintain safe and professional conduct and engage in transparency mechanisms such as the Hague Code of Conduct.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposing any unilateral action to change the status quo and encouraging dialogue rather than coercion or the use of force.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary reiterated their concern that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had serious implications for security, stability and prosperity in the region. Both sides reiterated the call for compliance with international law, including the UN Charter. Both sides called on support from the international community for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for those with influence on Russia to play a positive role in achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary reiterated their support for de-escalation and a permanent end to the Middle East conflict. Both sides emphasised the need for restraint, dialogue, and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary reaffirmed that restoring navigational freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz and other straits in the region remained critical to the stability of international supply chains and global energy markets, particularly in our region.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary emphasised their serious concern about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) provision of troops and export of ballistic missiles, artillery shells, and other military materiel to Russia for use against Ukraine. Alongside the DPRK's continued launching of ballistic missiles, which stands in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, the DPRK's acquisition of battlefield experience and Russia's provision of training to DPRK soldiers pose an increased threat to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary committed to sustaining the momentum of defence cooperation and directed their respective departments to ensure the timely implementation of the DCA and agreed priorities. They resolved to meet again in the Philippines in 2027 for the 4th Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers' Meeting.
