Arming up with 40,000 soldiers – puts pressure on China

Australien

Gathers a record number of military personnel – 19 nations put pressure on China
Assumes that “Talisman Sabre” will be overshadowed by Chinese military

Leo Pettersson

Published 10.39

 

Elbridge Colby, US Deputy Secretary of Defense. Photo: William J Seifert / Photo By William J. Seifert

More than 40,000 military personnel are currently participating in Australia's largest ever multinational defense exercise.

This at the same time as the Pentagon demands answers – in case a conflict arises over Taiwan.

– I leave it to China to interpret what it means to them that 19 friends, allies and partners want to operate together in the region, says Justin Jones, Australia's top operational commander.

Diplomatic discomfort has been aroused in the Pacific region.

According to the Financial Times, citing officials with knowledge of the matter, US Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby has been pressuring  Japan and Australien. Colby is said to have demanded that the two nations define their military roles in the event of a conflict between the US and  Chana over Taiwan.

“The Department of Defense is focused on implementing the President’s America First agenda to restore deterrence and achieve peace through strength,” Colby wrote on X.

           

           

          Pat Conroy, Australia’s Minister for Defense Industries.

          1 / 2Photo: Anupam Nath / APpreparing.

           

           

           

         Japanese missiles are test-fired during the exercise.

         1 / 3Photo: Rick Rycroft / AP

Clear message to China

This past weekend, “Talisman Sabre”, Australia’s largest military exercise ever, began. This multi-international exercise, which is being carried out together with the US and involves more than 40,000 military personnel from 19 nations (including the UK, Japan, Canada and France), is set to last for the next three weeks.

And the message to China from the military is very clear.

– I leave it to China to interpret what 19 friends, allies and partners who want to work together in the region mean to them. But to me, these are nations seeking a common aspiration for peace, stability, a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Australia’s top operational commander, according to the Taipei Times.

The last four times Australia has held “Talisman Sabre” exercises, the Chinese military has observed them.

Pat Conroy now expects Chinese warships to shadow the upcoming exercise as well.

“It would be very unusual for them not to do so now as well.”

 

South Korean troops during “Talisman Sabre.” Photo: Rick Rycroft / AP

  

A New Zealand fighter pilot participating in the drill in Australia. Photo: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images