Defence Chiefs Back Boosting US Military Presence in Australia
- On Wednesday, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed to accelerate force posture initiatives at Australian bases, bolstering combined logistics and military interoperability.
- China's unprecedented military build-up prompted the allies to prioritize deterrence and maintain a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region, officials said.
- Marles noted Australia's defence budget now sits at 2.8 per cent of GDP, representing the biggest peacetime increase in national history—$117bn over the decade supporting AUKUS obligations.
- Further details will be provided at the ministerial meeting later this year; the agreement builds on AUKUS plans to host U.S. nuclear-powered submarines near Perth from next year.
- Greens Senator David Shoebridge warned the deeper alignment represents "a criminally reckless gamble," while opponents claim the deal increases regional risks despite government assurances of stability.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Australia, US to Speed Up Defence Cooperation, Permanent US Submarine Force on Track
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (R) gives a thumbs up as he welcomes Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles (L) during an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on Sept. 2, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/ AFP via Getty Images)
Australia and the United States announced they would strengthen their defense cooperation in light of China's expanding influence, which could mean increasing the US military presence in Australia and strengthening deterrence across the Pacific.
Defence chiefs back boosting US military presence in Australia
Wary of China's unprecedented military build-up, US ally Australia has reshaped its defence force in recent years to focus on its missile strike capability and deterring would-be foes from its northern approaches. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Canberra understood "the gravity of maintaining a favorable balance of power in the region" as he met with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Washington on Wednesday. The two "agreed to…
Australia, US to boost defence ties as China's Pacific influence grows
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