Strengthening the Unbreakable Alliance: US and Australia Deepen Defence Cooperation

AUSMIN – Cheryl Wakely

The “unbreakable alliance” between the United States and Australia is strengthening with a series of joint initiatives announced today. These initiatives include the establishment of new “operating locations,” increased troop rotations, and the formalization of plans to coproduce two key long-range missile systems.

“These efforts will help ensure that we have the capability and the capacity that we’ll need for decades to come,” US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stated at a press conference for the 34th Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). He was joined by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. “The United States, Australia, and our other friends in the region are operating more closely and more capably than ever before,” Austin added.

Austin emphasized that Washington and Canberra are intensifying their defence industrial cooperation, aiming to finalize two memorandums of understanding by December. The first memorandum will formalize the plan to manufacture Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMRLS) in Australia by 2025, an initiative first agreed upon in 2023. The second memorandum will advance the “co-production, co-sustainment, and co-development” of the Precision Guided Strike missile (PrSM). Officials will establish a “joint programs office” in Huntsville, Alabama, to oversee the PrSM project.

“We have seen groundbreaking discussions today regarding much greater collaboration between our defence industry bases, particularly in the manufacture of guided weapons in Australia,” Marles said.

A senior US defence official disclosed that the two sides are collaborating on cutting-edge hypersonic technologies through the joint Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) initiative, noting significant progress in design and ground testing. Marles also mentioned plans for a memorandum of understanding between the US Defence Innovation Unit and Australia’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator.

In Australia, Canberra has agreed to new and longer-term operating locations for force posture cooperation. “We’re expanding our logistics cooperation by assessing places to locate an enduring logistics support area in Queensland, Australia,” the official said.

Austin announced an increase in rotational forces, including more maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and more frequent rotational bomber deployments. Marles noted that these measures will enhance the United States’ ability to operate in Australia and provide opportunities to work with regional neighbours.

Beyond bilateral projects, the US and Australia are collaborating to boost intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, working more closely with Japan. Austin and Marles also highlighted the importance of partnering with regional countries like India and the Philippines.

Although the AUSMIN talks did not focus on the AUKUS security arrangement, Austin acknowledged significant progress in this trilateral pact involving the UK.

“So, we got a lot done today,” Austin said. “We’ll keep building on our joint achievements over the past three and a half years and keep charting an ambitious course forward.”