Australia and the United States are already working to upgrade air bases in northern and western Australia, which are closer to potential flashpoints with China in the South China Sea than Australia’s capital of Canberra
Australia will begin co-manufacturing guided weapons with the US next year to boost supply for allies in the Indo-Pacific and increase a US military presence in the country, including bomber aircraft, the two nations said after annual defence talks.
After annual AUSMIN talks in Annapolis, Maryland, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said there would be an increase in the presence of rotational US forces in Australia. “This will mean more maritime patrol aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft operating from bases across northern Australia. It will also mean more frequent rotational bomber deployments,” he said.
In opening remarks, Austin said the two allies faced shared security challenges including “coercive behaviour” by China. A joint statement released after the AUSMIN talks expressed concern over Chinese military activity around Taiwan, and China’s excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea.
They “noted grave concern about China’s dangerous and escalatory behaviour toward Philippine vessels lawfully operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone”.
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