Joint Statement on the 6th Australia-Malaysia High Level Committee

The Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles MP, and the Malaysian Minister of Defence, the Honourable Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, co-chaired the 6th Australia-Malaysia High Level Committee Meeting in Geelong on 18 September 2026.

Ministers reaffirmed the enduring strength of the Australia-Malaysia defence partnership, founded on decades of trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to regional peace, security and prosperity. Ministers underscored their shared commitment to the sovereignty of all nations, international law and a regional order with ASEAN at its centre. 

Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a trusted, forward looking and future ready defence partnership capable of addressing the security challenges in the coming decade. Ministers agreed that our defence partnership will continue to deepen through closer collaboration in support of an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region. 

Ministers noted the continued momentum in the Malaysia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed the essential role of defence collaboration as a key pillar supporting broader bilateral relations. Ministers agreed to elevate the Australia–Malaysia defence partnership and establish, as a first step, a Strategic Planning Committee, with the Committee to convene at the earliest opportunity to drive priority areas of practical defence cooperation and oversee their implementation.

Ministers welcomed growing defence collaboration under the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program (MAJDP), including Exercise Keris Strike 2026 in Sabah, expanded maritime and special forces collaboration, and increased opportunities for professional military education and personnel exchanges. Ministers agreed to pursue further opportunities for high-end and operationally relevant engagement to strengthen interoperability between the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force.

Ministers reaffirmed the importance of Operation Gateway, which continues to contribute to regional security and stability through enhanced maritime domain awareness. Recognising the evolving regional strategic environment, Ministers agreed to explore opportunities to further strengthen Operation Gateway by enhancing interoperability and integration, in support of the shared security interests of Malaysia and Australia.

Ministers noted the significant progress on infrastructure upgrades and runway remediation at Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Butterworth Air Base. They looked forward to completion of works by the end of 2026 and agreed to commemorate this important milestone through a joint ceremony upon completion of the project. Ministers reaffirmed the importance of RMAF Butterworth as a vital platform for bilateral defence cooperation, regional engagement and Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) activities. Ministers welcomed continued collaboration on infrastructure development across Malaysia.

Ministers acknowledged the progress made towards finalising a Malaysia-Australia Security of Information Arrangement (SIA) and strengthening collaboration on information security. Ministers welcomed ongoing efforts to advance the SIA and committed to continuing work towards its conclusion at the earliest practicable opportunity.

Ministers announced the signing of the renewed Malaysia-Australia Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA), which will strengthen practical defence cooperation and support a broader range of bilateral, regional and multilateral activities. Ministers noted that the Arrangement will enhance the ability of both defence forces to cooperate more effectively, improve logistical support and interoperability, and facilitate future exercises, operations and engagements.

Ministers committed to strengthening defence industry collaboration between Malaysia and Australia through exploring the establishment of a Defence Science Technology and Industry Working Group to identify specific projects related to defence industry that can deliver mutual benefits and looked forward to an Australian defence industry trade mission to Malaysia in the near future. Ministers noted that a defence industry trade mission would provide an opportunity for government, industry and defence stakeholders to explore practical avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration, support capability development priorities and strengthen long-term defence industry partnerships between the two countries. 

Ministers reaffirmed the importance of strengthening collaboration and welcomed expanded practical engagement between Malaysia and Australia to address evolving cyber threats. Ministers committed to increasing collaboration on cyber security and cyber resilience, recognising the growing importance of cyberspace to regional security and defence operations.

Ministers expressed grave concern over ongoing malicious cyber activities, including large-scale theft targeting banks and other financial institutions across the Indo-Pacific carried out by state-backed actors to fund unlawful weapons programs. Ministers underscored the importance of preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Indo-Pacific, and reaffirmed their commitment to preserving regional peace, security and stability.

Ministers reaffirmed the value of the Malaysia-Australia Future Leaders' Program in fostering enduring professional relationships and deeper understanding between emerging defence leaders. Australia looks forward to hosting the next iteration of the program in 2026, providing an opportunity for future leaders from both countries to exchange perspectives on regional security challenges and explore new avenues for defence cooperation.

Ministers reaffirmed their shared vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is open, stable, prosperous, inclusive and resilient. They reaffirmed their support for implementing commitments in the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement on Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management in the ASEAN led Regional Architecture. They emphasised the importance of dialogue, transparency, confidence-building measures and adherence to international law to reduce the risk of misunderstanding, miscalculation and conflict. 

Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN centrality and an ASEAN-led open, inclusive, transparent, resilient and rules-based regional architecture. Ministers recognised the important role of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and its Experts' Working Groups in promoting confidence-building, practical cooperation and regional stability.

Ministers welcomed continued collaboration on initiatives supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific from a Defence perspective and reaffirmed their commitment to practical collaboration in areas including maritime security, cybersecurity and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Ministers reiterated their strong commitment to the FPDA as the only multilateral security arrangements of their kind focusing on Southeast Asia and the longest-standing regional security mechanism of which Australia is a member. Ministers noted that 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the FPDA, recognising its enduring contribution to regional stability and practical defence cooperation since 1971. Ministers welcomed Malaysia’s hosting the FPDA Defence Ministers’ Meeting (FDMM) and Exercise Suman Protector in 2027 and reaffirmed support for the continued evolution and modernisation of FPDA cooperation to address common challenges, enhance interoperability and demonstrate collective resolve.

Ministers emphasised the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, ensuring the safety and security of maritime passage, and the peaceful resolution of disputes – including through dialogue and diplomatic engagement in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also reaffirmed their commitment to reinforcing regional peace and stability through continued cooperation on shared security challenges. Ministers reiterated serious concern regarding actions that increase tensions and undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea, including dangerous and unprofessional actions at sea and in the air. They emphasised that maritime claims must be consistent with UNCLOS, which provides the comprehensive legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas. They emphasised the need for all States to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. Ministers stressed that any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea must be consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS, and not affect any states’ enjoyment of rights under UNCLOS.

Ministers acknowledged the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also noted that we all have a role in preventing conflict, which requires open communication, reassurance and transparency.

Ministers expressed the importance of transparency and reassurance of intent so as to reduce the risk of miscalculation in the region. Ministers noted that the recent submarine launched ballistic missile test from the South China Sea into the Pacific did not meet the region’s expectations. They reaffirmed expectations that all regional partners maintain safe and professional conduct and follow established best practice procedures.

Ministers reiterated their support for de-escalation and a permanent end to the Middle East conflict. 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.

Ministers acknowledged the increasingly complex regional security environment, including evolving challenges in cybersecurity, maritime security, countering terrorism and violent extremism, emerging technologies and the implications of artificial intelligence for defence. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening information exchange, research collaboration and practical engagement to address these shared challenges.

Ministers agreed to further enhance defence cooperation through regular high-level engagement, expanded military-to-military activities and closer coordination on regional and global security issues of mutual interest.