Indonesia, Australia sign 'historic' defence pact

Indonesia and Australia signed a new defence agreement, pledging closer cooperation to counter security threats in the Asia-Pacific region.

The pact was signed during the visit of Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles to Indonesia. It includes provisions for joint drills and deployments to each country. The two countries are due to hold a joint military exercise in East Java in November. The exercise, which will involve air, land, sea and cyber exercises, Marles said.