According to Reuters, the Philippines and Australia signed a Defence Cooperation Arrangement (DCA) in Manila on November 15, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attending the signing ceremony. The agreement aims to streamline coordination procedures under the 2007 Status of Forces Agreement (SOVFA), reducing the previously required 100-step approval process to just 10 steps, thereby minimizing bureaucratic obstacles to joint military activities.
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated the arrangement would enhance close cooperation between the two nations’ armed forces across land, sea, and air domains, as well as in humanitarian assistance, strengthening the Philippines’ “credible deterrence posture” in the South China Sea. Albanese announced additional investments in maritime domain awareness, including unmanned aerial systems, equipment, and training, to improve capabilities in detecting maritime and cyber threats.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881931194511499/
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