Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise with the United States, Exercise Talisman Sabre, officially commenced with an opening ceremony on-board HMAS Canberra.
This year, personnel from India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are attending as observers.
Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, joined United States Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro for the official opening at Sydney’s Fleet Base East.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said in a statement:
“The scale and design of the exercise will provide more depth, complexity and challenge for our defence forces as we work together to build our defence cooperation. … Talisman Sabre is a practical demonstration of our commitment to working with our international partners to maintain the security and stability of our region.”
Over the next two weeks 13 nations will participate in high-end multi-domain warfighting across sea, land, air, cyber and space.
Now in its tenth iteration, 2023 is the largest Exercise Talisman Sabre in terms of its geographical area and the number of participating partners.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and develop strong relationships between participating military forces.
United States Secretary of the Navy, The Hon Carlos Del Toro observed:
“The scope of this exercise and the opportunity it provides for all of us to train above, at, and below the sea, as well as ashore, increases our ability to work together in the countering challenges we may face here in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The Exercise will involve field training exercises including force preparation and logistics activities, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, air combat and maritime operations.
In addition to the United States, forces from Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Tonga and the United Kingdom will participate in the exercise.
Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton added:
“Every nation who has joined us in Australia for Talisman Sabre will integrate operations across air, land, maritime, space and cyber domains, challenging our defence forces to synchronise military efforts from the tactical to strategic levels.”
Talisman Sabre 2023 will involve more than 30,000 military personnel deploying across Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales. For the first time exercises will also take part around Norfolk Island.
Next week, the Deputy Prime Minister will travel to Queensland with United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III to visit Australian and US service members participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre.
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