The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reaffirmed its unity and commitment to strengthening regional defence cooperation at the recently concluded ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Kuala Lumpur, emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure peace and stability in an increasingly contested strategic environment.
In a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting, ASEAN defence chiefs underscored the importance of upholding international law, promoting dialogue, and reinforcing multilateralism in addressing regional and global security challenges.
The high-level gathering drew defence leaders from the ten ASEAN member states, as well as from major powers including the United States, China, and India — a testament to the growing global interest in the Indo-Pacific’s security landscape.
Delegates explored new areas of cooperation, including cyber defence, artificial intelligence (AI), and disaster response. Officials said the integration of technology and information sharing would be key to enhancing regional security resilience.
One of the most closely watched topics was the long-standing South China Sea dispute, where overlapping territorial claims have repeatedly raised tensions between China and several ASEAN states. Defence leaders renewed calls for progress on the long-delayed code of conduct (COC), aimed at establishing clear rules for behavior and conflict avoidance in the disputed waters.
The Philippines, which assumed the ASEAN chairmanship from Malaysia, announced that finalising the COC would be among its top priorities during its term.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Manila and Washington announced the creation of a new joint military task force focused on strengthening interoperability and boosting readiness, particularly in the South China Sea. The task force is expected to conduct joint patrols, training, and intelligence-sharing initiatives designed to improve maritime domain awareness.
China claims vast stretches of the South China Sea, overlapping with claims by four ASEAN nations — Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Encounters between Chinese and Philippine vessels have become increasingly frequent, particularly around the Spratly Islands and Second Thomas Shoal.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro reiterated Manila’s commitment to defending its sovereign rights while adhering to international norms. “Respect for global norms must not depend on size or influence,” he said. “There are great powers in the world, but they need to work under an agreed, clear, and transparent set of rules and norms.”
Teodoro added that the Philippines plans to gradually increase defence spending despite fiscal constraints, citing New Zealand’s model of measured yet strategic investment. “We have to devote more resources to defence spending. My personal goal is to use New Zealand as a model — it’s more digestible for our economy,” he said.
New Zealand plans to double its military budget to 2 per cent of GDP over the next eight years. In comparison, World Bank data showed the Philippines’ defence expenditure stood at just 1.2 per cent of GDP in 2023, a figure analysts say remains modest for a country facing growing strategic risks.
Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said he was “satisfied” with his nation’s expanding military budget, which continues to rise each year. “We are number four among ministries in terms of allocation, and every year there is an increase,” he said. “Whatever we procure is intended as a deterrent.”
Malaysia’s defence allocation will rise to US$5 billion in 2026, marking a 2.9 per cent increase as part of broader efforts to modernise its armed forces and enhance maritime security.
Khaled also highlighted ASEAN’s progress in peacebuilding, noting the deployment of an observer team to monitor the ceasefire along the Thai-Cambodia border following a joint peace declaration at the ASEAN summit. In addition, Malaysia signed a new defence cooperation agreement with Timor-Leste, ASEAN’s newest member, to assist in developing its military capabilities and participation in regional exercises.
Khaled warned that ASEAN must remain united amid increasing competition among major powers in the region. “There are efforts to try and woo ASEAN countries to take sides,” he cautioned. “But if ASEAN can work as a team, there will be respect for ASEAN. With that, we will be able to secure peace, stability, and security.”
While ASEAN leaders continue to emphasise self-reliance, analysts argue that the bloc’s strength lies in maintaining balance and cultivating partnerships with major powers.
“Most ASEAN countries do not have the defensive capacity to match the major powers,” said Adib Zalkapli, managing director of Malaysia-based Viewfinder Global Affairs. “Alliance partnerships serve as a necessary form of security assurance — not to surrender autonomy, but to preserve it.”
He added that ASEAN’s best strategy lies in pragmatic balancing. “The optimal approach is to sustain cooperation with the United States while exploring deeper engagement with other powers, including China and India.”
As geopolitical rivalries intensify across the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN’s latest meeting reaffirms its central role as a stabilising force — one that seeks to uphold peace, promote dialogue, and preserve strategic autonomy amid shifting global dynamics.
