DEFENCE CONNECT : Robert Dougherty
Australia and Papua New Guinea ministerial forum on shared defence and security priorities. Photo Jay Cronan
Australia will provide new Timor-Leste National Police maritime patrol vessels and strengthen Timor-Leste’s cyber security capabilities and digital forensics under a newly signed bilateral Defence Cooperation Framework. The Defence Cooperation Framework was signed in Dili by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles MP, and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
Under the modernised defence cooperation agreement, worth more than $60 million, Australia will provide support to strengthen Timor-Leste’s cyber security capabilities through specialist advisers, cyber incident response support and enhanced protection of critical systems and infrastructure over the next five years. Australia will also support the development of digital forensics capabilities to strengthen Timor-Leste’s national policing agencies’ ability to investigate cyber crime and disrupt scam centre operations.
There will also be a supply of new vessels for the PNTL to patrol Timor-Leste’s waters for maritime security, marine search and rescue and to counter transnational crime while strengthening measures for Timor-Leste’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities, including through closer integration with ASEAN and Australian disaster response systems.
Australia and Timor-Leste will continue to deepen cooperation across a range of areas, including maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping, specialist capability development, infrastructure and English language training.
“As Timor-Leste takes on a greater role in our region as ASEAN’s newest member, Australia is proud to stand alongside our close neighbour and work together in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.” It will also strengthen the longstanding Defence Cooperation Program, which has partnered with the Timor-Leste Defence Force and Ministry of Defence since 2002, and builds on the ambitions outlined in the Parseria Joint Declaration, signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão in January 2026.
“The Parseria Joint Declaration is driving a new era of cooperation between Australia and Timor-Leste, and these initiatives are a demonstration of our close partnership and friendship,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said.
“As close neighbours and partners, Australia and Timor-Leste are working together to address shared challenges and ensure the peace, stability and prosperity of our region.”