<![CDATA[The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a strategic maritime region characterized by increasing geopolitical competition, territorial disputes, and transnational maritime security challenges. These developments require states to strengthen not only their maritime defence capabilities but also their maritime diplomacy to maintain regional stability. This study aims to comparatively analyze maritime defence policies within the framework of maritime diplomacy in Indonesia, Japan, and Australia. A qualitative approach with a comparative case study design was employed. Data were collected through document analysis of official defence policies, national security strategies, and relevant academic literature, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis and cross-case comparison. The findings reveal that the integration of maritime defence policy and maritime diplomacy differs significantly among the three countries due to variations in strategic orientation, threat perception, and geopolitical interests. Indonesia adopts a strategic autonomy model, emphasizing sovereignty protection and multilateral diplomacy through ASEAN-centered mechanisms. Japan implements a rules-based balancing model by integrating the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy with maritime security cooperation and defence modernization. Australia applies an alliance-based deterrence model, combining maritime defence with strategic alliances such as AUKUS and broader regional security partnerships. The study argues that strategic orientation is the primary determinant of how states integrate maritime defence and maritime diplomacy. It also proposes a comparative analytical typology that contributes to the growing literature on maritime security and defence diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.]]>
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