Australia, US to boost defence ties as China’s Pacific influence grows

Australia and the US said they would boost their defence ties in a move that could expand the US military presence in Australia, while strengthening deterrence across the Pacific, where China has been expanding its influence.After meeting US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington DC, Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters on Wednesday that “American force posture in Australia is growing” and was on the rise across every domain.The US-Australia Force Posture Initiatives are agreements that allow US military forces to train and store equipment in Australia, including the rotational deployment of aircraft and logistics support for US vessels.”We think that’s really important in terms of providing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, providing for stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific, and that’s very much in Australia’s national interest.”Marles did not specify if the greater level of co-operation would mean more US troops being stationed in Australia, but said further details would be provided at the next meeting of Australian and US defence ministers later this year.

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