Australia has launched its largest-ever war exercise, Talisman Sabre 2025, with over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations participating in the drills over three weeks. The exercise, which began on Sunday, features live-fire exercises, field training, amphibious landings, ground force maneuvers, and air and maritime operations.
This year’s exercise is the largest and most advanced warfighting exercise in Australia’s history, showcasing the country’s defense alliance with the US.
The participating nations include the US, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom.
Malaysia and Vietnam are also attending as observers. “It remains a powerful demonstration of Australia’s enduring commitment to strengthening relationships between trusted allies and partners, in support of a peaceful, stable and sovereign Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations.
Chinese surveillance ships have monitored naval exercises off the Australian coast during the last four Talisman Sabre exercises and are expected to surveil the current exercise. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said, “We will adjust accordingly. We will obviously observe their activities and monitor their presence around Australia, but we will also adjust how we conduct those exercises.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who began a six-day visit to China, said Chinese surveillance of Talisman Sabre would not be raised with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. “That would be nothing unusual. That has happened in the past and I will continue to assert Australia’s national interest, as I do,” Albanese told reporters in Shanghai on Monday.
The exercise will take place across Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales, and Christmas Island, with activities also being held in Papua New Guinea, Australia’s nearest neighbor. This marks the first time Talisman Sabre activities have been held outside Australia.
The drills include live-fire exercises, amphibious landings, and cyber warfare simulations, highlighting the event’s significance in strengthening Indo-Pacific alliances through joint readiness and interoperability.
Deputy Commanding General of US Army Pacific, Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell, emphasized the importance of the exercise, stating, “Together, we are building tactical trust, practising our operational manoeuvres, and reaffirming our strategic commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The exercise demonstrates Australia’s commitment to regional security and its defense alliance with the US, amid growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
