Military partnerships with Timor Leste: The Case of Australia and The United States of America

Timor Leste, being one of the youngest sovereign nations, operates with support from

democratic allies, such as the United States of America (USA) and Australia. The Timor

Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) has received support from Australia, China, Malaysia, New

Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, and the USA. Such support has been given in the form of

defense equipment donations, training assistance, and ongoing defense partnerships.

Overcoming their struggle for independence, from Portuguese occupation to Indonesian

Colonization, the nation is continuously growing and their journey to sovereignty has been

innately complex. Consequently, their redevelopment, particularly in the defense space, is

reliant on the support of external defense forces. By interrogating the partnerships held

between F-FDTL the USA, and Australia, respectively, how Timor Leste

continues to grow and strengthen their defense force is examined.

The USA has an ongoing partnership with F-FDTL, predominantly through training

exercises, which strengthens F-FDTL whilst creating an ongoing connection between the

two nations. Exercise Dalan ba Dame is a collaborative effort between the United States

Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) and F-FDTL. This training occurred in June of this

year, to enhance readiness and credibility which is integral in maintaining

peace in Timor Leste. The exercise consisted of 250 participants, both from the US and

Timor Leste was built up of comprehensive training on squad tactics, techniques, and

procedures, aiming to foster a collaborative spirit. The intended outcome of this initiative

was to empower F-FDTL members with both skill and support, ensuring a sense of

comradery existed between the US Defence Force and Timor Leste. Similarly, Pacific

Angel 22-4 is an operation that includes medical treatment, engineering assistance and

expert intel exchange, to ultimately promote humanitarian aid, which visited

the district of Baucau in late 2022. A 5-day operation occurred where 90 US service

members partnered with F-FDTL to provide disaster relief to the community. The Timor

Leste Defence Force Chief at the time reflected that ‘operations like this are essential to our

community and we look forward to our continued partnership.’ Such training

initiatives are multifaceted in their benefits to both states, ensuring their partnership

continues to thrive. Furthermore, the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)

exercise series was undertaken in Dili in June of 2024. CARAT Timor Leste is a 7 day

exercise curated to enhance collaboration between the US and F- FDTL maritime security

teams. This year's exercise focused on exploring innovative naval capabilities and

opportunities for collaboration on common goals for the two states. These opportunities

provided by the USA to F-FDTL allows for the teaching of integral skills in defence, whilst

also supporting the communities of Timor Leste in their development.

In 1999 Australia's military was a key actor in assisting East Timor in restoring

independence. This has not changed. Now, 25 years later, this partnership remains active

and flourishing through the aiding of Timorse defence in partnership and training. F-FDTL

operates in partnership with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in training initiatives.

Within this partnership Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment

are working with soldiers from F-FDTL to gain them UN Peacekeeping accreditation, in

the goal of deploying as part of international peacekeeping missions. These Australian

soldiers are working under the Defence Cooperation Program, striving to provide necessary

specialist training to the F-FDTL soldiers with a focus on weapon handling, navigation and

first aid. Initiatives, such as this, allow for the partnership formed between the ADF and

F-FDTL, to remain beneficial to the growth and development of the Timor Leste.

Lieutenant Marcelo, the second in command of Timor Leste's Peacekeeping Operations

Training Centre stated that ‘the relationship between our two nations is very important, not

only because we are geographically close nations, but because, like a family, we have to

support each other.’ This sentiment emphasizes the necessity for such exercise not only in

their literal benefits to defense skill development, but as a part of their role in maintaining a

close relationship between neighboring countries. Australia's commitment to supporting

Timor Leste is emphasized through these training opportunities provided to F-FDTL,

highlighting that this partnership is one that will continue to operate with the goal to

strengthen Timor Leste as a nation and create a bilateral relationship between the states.

By touching on the two key players of the USA and Australia, and their partnerships with

Timor Leste, the role of defense partnerships and their importance in redeveloping the

nation is emphasized. Both the USA and Australia have a proactive role in training and

supporting F-FDTL members, and therefore, ensuring the stability of the state. Their

commitment to training initiatives demonstrates the promise of support that these two states

have offered Timor Leste.

References

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2023, Peacekeeping in East Timor : The Path to Independence, Lynne Rienner Publishers,

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The Cove et al. (2024) #KYR: Timor-Leste – military, The Cove. Available at:

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The path to peacekeeping, Defence Australia. Available at:

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U.S. Army and the Timor-Leste Defense Force Hold Opening Ceremony for Dalan ba Dame

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US, Timor-leste partnership strengthened through Pacific Angel 22-4 Air Force. Available

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