Chinese ship shadows ‘biggest ever’ Australia-US joint military exercise, defence official says
- A Chinese ship is currently off the east coast of Australia and is expected to shadow the drills, according to an Australian defence official
- The war games involve 30,000 troops and participants from 11 other countries, in a show of force and unity amid China assertiveness in Indo-Pacific
Australia and the United States began two weeks of war games involving more than 30,000 troops and participants from 11 other countries on Friday, in a show of force and unity at a time when China has emerged as an increasingly assertive power in the Indo-Pacific.
Held every two years, the first Talisman Sabre joint military exercises were conducted in 2005, and this year’s drills will be the largest yet.
“The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together, is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist among our many nations,” US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said during an opening ceremony on a naval vessel in Sydney.
The drills, taking place in various locations across Australia, will include mock land and air combat, as well as amphibious landings.
The exercises demonstrated Australia’s “commitment to working with our international partners to maintain the security and stability of our region,” Defence Minister Richard Marles also said at the ceremony.
This year will see Germany participate for the first time, with 210 paratroopers and marines taking part as the European nation bolsters its presence in the Indo-Pacific.
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Personnel from India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will also attend as observers.