Hegseth proposes US-ASEAN defence framework at Philippine summit

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Wednesday proposed a new, ambitious US-ASEAN Framework for Defence Cooperation during the bloc’s Defence Ministers' Meeting in Cebu of Philippines. The framework is proposed ahead of the 50th anniversary of official U.S.-ASEAN relations in 2027.

It also designed as a practical guide for regional security cooperation over the coming years, with a focus on strengthening maritime domain awareness, naval cooperation, and joint training. The proposal follows Pentagon pushes for deeper Indo-Pacific alignment, autonomous/AI military integration, and enhanced burden-sharing among regional allies.