US Defense Secretary Discusses Enhancing Deterrence Capabilities in Indian and Pacific Oceans During Meetings in Philippines

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday that he discussed ways to enhance military cooperation and develop defensive and deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region during bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia.

He clarified in a social media post that these meetings took place on the sidelines of the expanded meeting of ASEAN Defense Ministers in Cebu, Philippines.

In his meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Hegseth agreed to enhance defense investments, strategic coordination, joint military exercises, and industrial defense cooperation, including expanding production of SM-3 Block II A interceptors. They also agreed to establish a facility in Japan for final assembly, inspection, and testing of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles known as AMRAAM.

In his meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, the two sides discussed defense relations and the military alliance between the two countries, amid expectations that the talks would address disagreements regarding the timeline for transferring operational control of combined forces during wartime from Washington to Seoul.

Hegseth affirmed that "the U.S.-South Korea alliance is based on the principle of peace through strength and relies on forces with readiness, decisive military capabilities, and a combined combat power that deters aggression," emphasizing that his country stands by allies who take seriously the responsibility of defending themselves.

In his meeting with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Hegseth reviewed progress made in implementing the ten-year defense cooperation framework between the two countries and discussed ways to expand military and strategic partnership.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the meeting addressed progress in implementing the defense cooperation framework, which enhances strategic convergence between the two countries in areas of military technology, information exchange, and joint defense production. He described the defense partnership between India and the United States as a cornerstone for ensuring a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

For his part, Hegseth said both sides celebrated the first anniversary of the major defense partnership framework and discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation in the coming phase. The two countries signed the defense cooperation framework in 2025 with the aim of providing a unified vision and common political direction to deepen military and defense cooperation over a ten-year period.

In his meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles, Hegseth agreed to accelerate the implementation of cooperation related to force positioning and deployment, and to enhance joint logistical and military capabilities, thereby supporting regional deterrence and maintaining the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.

These meetings come on the sidelines of the 13th Expanded ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting, held on October 28 and 29 in the Philippines, which holds the forum's chairmanship in 2026. The meeting includes the 11 ASEAN member states alongside eight dialogue partners: the United States, China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, with the aim of enhancing security and defense cooperation and discussing regional and international challenges. (End) E.A.B./T.M.A.