NATO, which originally begin as an anti-communist military pact covering the North Atlantic, has expanded its focus in recent years to include the risk to global security posed by China, including cyberattacks, weaponisation of trade and danger of conflict over Taiwan.
NATO plans to open a liaison office for the Indo-Pacific in Tokyo, with Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg saying earlier this year, “What is happening in Europe today, could happen in Asia tomorrow”.
In the lead-up to next week’s summit, Australia and the other IP4 nations have been negotiating new agreements with NATO, called Individually Tailored Partnership Programs (ITPPs), elevating their involvement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at last year’s NATO summit. Alex Ellinghausen
Australia and Japan have finalised their agreements, which will cover co-operation with NATO on cybersecurity, maritime security, space, climate change and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and quantum computing.
“All NATO partners are transitioning to the new Individually Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP) process once their existing partnership arrangements are due for renewal,” a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said. “Australia will have further updates on its partnership arrangements in due course.”
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Strategic Analysis Australia director Michael Shoebridge, a former Defence Department official, said it made sense for Australia to tighten bonds with NATO.
“We have a shared challenge around aggressive authoritarian states,” Mr Shoebridge said.
“We have realised collective strength is required both to deter conflict and succeed in conflict should that occur. Ukraine is showing you need deep partnerships if you are going to sustain your militaries in war.”
There is speculation Mr Albanese may announce further military aid for Ukraine, after the most recent $110 million package was panned for being insufficient and sending Ukraine old vehicles.
One rumoured suggestion is the possibility of working with Germany to supply munitions for Ukraine, which is running low on artillery shells. Mr Albanese may make a defence-related announcement in Berlin when he meets Mr Scholz on Monday.
The two leaders will also discuss armoured vehicles. A German company, Rheinmetall, is one of two bidders to build troop carriers for the Australian army, with a decision expected on the tender soon after five years of assessment.
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Rheinmetall is also proposing to export hundreds of a different type of vehicle, known as the Boxer, which it is building at its factory in Brisbane, to the German army, in a deal that could be worth $6 billion for the local industry.
Mr Scholz is expected to invite Australia to join the G7’s German-initiated “climate club” for countries committed to ambitious reduction targets.
As its economy decarbonises, Germany is looking to Australia as a supplier of hydrogen for energy, and critical minerals for electric vehicles and other advanced technology, and the two leaders will discuss that, diplomatic sources said.
Saturday marks the 500th day since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the last round of Australian support fell short of what Ukraine needed.
“Australia must not fatigue in our efforts to continue support for Ukraine and remain at one with our international partners,” he said.

This data comes from MediaIntel.Asia's Media Intelligence and Media Monitoring Platform.