Editing Cocos (Keeling) Islands (section)

===Defence and law enforcement===
{{anchor | Defence | RAAF | Military }}

Defence is the responsibility of the [[Australian Defence Force]]. Until 2023, there were no active military installations or defence personnel on the island; the administrator could request the assistance of the Australian Defence Force if required. 

In 2016, the Australian Department of Defence announced that the [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport]] (West Island) would be upgraded to support the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]'s [[Boeing P-8 Poseidon|P-8 Poseidon]] maritime patrol aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://defence.gov.au/whitepaper/Docs/2016-Defence-White-Paper.pdf|title=2016 Defence White Paper (para. 4.66)|website=defence.gov.au|access-date=26 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301003400/http://defence.gov.au/WhitePaper/Docs/2016-Defence-White-Paper.pdf|archive-date=1 March 2016}}</ref> Work was scheduled to begin in early 2023 and be completed by 2026. The airfield will act as a forward operating base for Australian surveillance and electronic warfare aircraft in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-16/adf-cocos-keeling-islands-384m-runway-cost-blowout-delay/101854906 |title=$384m cost blowout on ADF plan to upgrade airstrip, boost military presence on Cocos (Keeling) Islands |website=ABC |access-date=19 August 2023|date=15 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights/australian-defences-forgotten-indian-ocean-territories/ |title=Australian Defence's Forgotten Indian Ocean Territories |website=Griffith Asia Insights |access-date=19 August 2023|date=29 June 2023 |last=Layton |first=Peter }}</ref>

The [[Royal Australian Navy]] and [[Australian Border Force]] also deploy {{sclass2|Cape|patrol boat|5}} and {{sclass|Armidale|patrol boat|0}} patrol boats to conduct surveillance and counter-migrant smuggling patrols in adjacent waters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defence.gov.au/operations/resolute |title=Operation Resolute |website=Australian Government - Defence |access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref> As of 2023, the Navy's ''Armidale''-class boats are in the process of being replaced by larger {{sclass|Arafura|offshore patrol vessel|1}}s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/third-asylum-seeker-boat-intercepted/video/97e609e4f60c961fdb0b2880dcf9cf2c |title=Third asylum seeker boat intercepted |website=Sky News |access-date=20 August 2023|date=14 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navy.gov.au/fleet/ships-boats-craft/future/opv |title=Arafura Class OPV |website=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref>

Civilian law enforcement and community policing is provided by the [[Australian Federal Police]]. The normal deployment to the island is one [[sergeant]] and one [[constable]]. These are augmented by two locally engaged Special Members who have police powers.