US, Australia to boost defense ties amid China’s influence
The United States and Australia agreed to accelerate defense cooperation and strengthen Washington’s military presence in Canberra to bolster deterrence capabilities.
According to German news outlet DW, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles met in Washington on September 2nd.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Marles said: “The US military presence in Australia is being strengthened,” adding that the expanded cooperation is aimed at responding to China’s military buildup on a scale not seen since World War II.
“We need to ensure we build deterrence capabilities and maintain balance, thereby ensuring peace and stability in the region where we live,” Marles added.
According to the Pentagon, the two countries agreed to “accelerate initiatives on force deployment at bases in Australia, enhance inter-service logistics cooperation, and improve interoperability through joint exercises.”
The deployment initiatives are agreements that allow the U.S. military to train and store equipment in Australia, including the rotational deployment of aircraft and logistical support for U.S. ships.
Australia does not allow foreign countries to establish military bases on its territory, but it still hosts some important joint military exercises and receives rotating US Marine Corps forces in Darwin, in the north of the country. It is unclear whether the new agreement will lead to an increase in the number of US troops stationed in Australia.
According to the Pentagon, the two sides also discussed progress in cooperation “to develop joint capabilities in guided weapons and next-generation capabilities.”
In a statement, Secretary Hegseth said the two countries’ defense strategies share a “strong consensus.” He also stressed the importance of allies investing in autonomous security capabilities, and the need to “plan together and ensure that each side’s capabilities are compatible and complementary.”
In recent years, Australia has stepped up its defense capabilities, focusing on developing long-range missile strike capabilities and strengthening strategic alliances.
US-Australia defense cooperation is also being implemented within the framework of the trilateral security agreement with the UK (AUKUS). Under this framework, US defense personnel are working at the HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia. This base is expected to receive a rotational deployment of US-commanded submarines starting in 2027.
China has criticized AUKUS as a dangerous agreement and warned that the mechanism could spark an arms race in the region. (T/H, BQT)
