PM Anthony Albanese and Indonesia’s incoming President Prabowo Subianto have finalised a new defence agreement – touted as the “most significant” ever – during Subianto’s visit to Canberra yesterday. The gist is that it aims to strengthen the relationship between our militaries, with more cooperation on things like joint defence exercises. Albanese called it a “vital plank” that will help underpin “the stability of the region that we share”. That’s a not-so-subtle nod to China’s moves in the Indo-Pacific in recent years – and it includes a blossoming relationship between Indonesia and China… It’s prompted experts to say the agreement is a strategic play on our end but it’s not quite locked in yet – Defence Minister Richard Marles is due to sign it off with Subianto during a visit to Indonesia soon. President-elect Subianto will be sworn in on 20 October.