The defense ministers of the Philippines and Australia will meet in Darwin this week to strengthen security cooperation and discuss efforts to promote stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The Department of National Defense (DND) said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will hold the 3rd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers’ Meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles.
The meeting coincides with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Australia.
According to the DND, the talks will focus on expanding the two countries’ strategic partnership through more joint military exercises, increased maritime cooperation, infrastructure projects, and stronger people-to-people ties.
The meeting is being held alongside Exercise Pitch Black 2026, a multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force.
The defense chiefs are expected to observe the participation of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), which is joining the exercise for the second time.
The PAF earlier deployed four FA-50PH fighter jets and more than 160 personnel to Australia for the drills, which run from July 17 to August 7.
