(Noun)
The peaceful application by a state of resources from across the spectrum of defense, for the purpose of achieving positive outcomes in the development of bilateral and multilateral relationships. "Military diplomacy" is a sub-set of this, tending to refer only to the role of military attachés and their associated activity. Defense diplomacy does not include military operations, but subsumes such other defense activity as international personnel exchanges, ship and aircraft visits, high level engagement (e.g. Ministers and senior defense personnel), training and exercises, security sector reform, regional defense and security forums (e.g. Shangri-la Dialogue, Halifax Conference), or bilateral military staff talks.
Usage: The Australian Government is employing defense diplomacy to advance its regional security objectives in Melanesia.