US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the United States would assist Australia in producing guided multiple-launch rocket systems by 2025. This partnership was solidified during the annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN) dialogue, where both nations’ top officials reaffirmed their commitment to engage with China while also opposing any disruptive actions if necessary.
During a press conference in Queensland state, Secretary Austin expressed the US’s dedication to pursuing several mutually beneficial initiatives with Australia’s defense industry. The focus includes aiding Australia in the production of guided multiple launch rocket systems and expediting their access to priority munitions through a streamlined acquisition process.
The meeting in Australia marked the first high-level gathering since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruptions. The Australian Labor government has been strengthening military ties with the US, a long-standing ally, in response to an increased military presence from China in the region.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles praised the collaboration, expressing hope that missile manufacturing would commence within two years, fostering a collective industrial base between the two countries. As part of the bilateral engagement, there would be an “increased tempo of visits from American nuclear-powered submarines to our waters.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of a free and secure Indo-Pacific region as a key focus of the talks. Both nations are committed to defending the international rules-based order, which has been instrumental in maintaining peace and security for decades. The engagement with China involves addressing concerns related to freedom of navigation, overflight in the south and east China seas, and preserving peace across the Taiwan Straits while opposing economic coercion.
Following the two-day talks, Minister Marles and Secretary Austin were scheduled to travel to north Queensland, where Australian and U.S. military forces are participating in the Talisman Sabre war games alongside 11 other nations. Unfortunately, the games were temporarily suspended after an Australian military helicopter involved in the exercises crashed into the ocean, with at least four people feared dead.
Addressing the situation in Ukraine, Secretary Blinken stated that China repeatedly assured the US that it was not providing “material lethal assistance” to Russia for use in Ukraine. The US takes these assurances seriously and has shared concerns with Beijing regarding the supply of technology that could potentially be used for drones and other weapons in Ukraine.
