Defence Minister Hosts High-Level Trilateral Talks in Darwin

MEDIA RELEASE

Planning Underway for Japan-US-Australia Joint Military Exercises

Darwin, Australia — November 17, 2024

Defence Minister Richard Marles will host senior defence officials from the United States and Japan in Darwin on Sunday to strengthen security ties and plan for joint military operations in northern Australia.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Australia for his final visit as a senior official of the Biden administration, amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the impending leadership transition in Washington. Secretary Austin will join Minister Marles and Japan’s Defence Minister Nakatani Gen in trilateral discussions focused on enhancing regional stability and collective deterrence, as concerns grow over Beijing’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and the potential for conflict over Taiwan.

Central to the talks is the integration of Japan’s Rapid Deployment Brigade into joint military training exercises with the US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D). Diplomatic sources confirm that Japan’s deployment will begin with the next rotation of US Marines in 2025, marking a historic step in defence collaboration.

Minister Marles highlighted the significance of the meeting:
“The trilateral partnership between Australia, Japan, and the United States is built upon shared values, deep trust, and an unbreakable commitment to Indo-Pacific stability and security. By working together, we bolster our collective deterrence capabilities and send a strong signal in support of peace and sovereignty in our region.”

The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, established in 2011 under a 25-year agreement, deploys approximately 2,000 US personnel annually from April to October. Japan’s inclusion represents a significant enhancement to the exercises, reflecting deepening ties and shared strategic objectives among the three nations.

Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie underscored the importance of closer cooperation:
“The Japanese face challenges similar to ours, particularly with increasing incursions by Chinese forces into their territorial waters. Integrating Japan into exercises with the US Marine Expeditionary Force in Darwin opens new opportunities for regional stability and enhanced security partnerships.”

This meeting follows a symbolic visit by then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Darwin in 2018, commemorating 75 years since the city was bombed by Imperial Japanese forces during World War II. The inclusion of Japan in defence initiatives underscores the evolution of regional partnerships in the face of contemporary challenges.

The talks also come as the US continues a major infrastructure investment across northern Australia under its Force Posture initiatives. In addition, the AUKUS partnership remains a cornerstone of Australia’s defence strategy, with US nuclear-powered submarines scheduled to rotate through HMAS Stirling in Western Australia from 2027, ahead of Australia’s acquisition of its own Virginia-class submarines in the 2030s.

After the trilateral meeting, Secretary Austin will travel to the Philippines, attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting in Laos, and make a historic stopover in Fiji, further demonstrating the United States’ enduring commitment to regional alliances.