On Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles at the Pentagon to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty (ANZUS). They discussed ways to further enhance the deterrence capabilities of both countries in the Pacific region.
Hegseth emphasized in his statement after the meeting that the defense strategies of the United States and Australia are highly aligned. He stressed that capable allies must contribute to collective defense and investing in their own sovereignty and security will help enhance overall defense.
“We share a common understanding of the complex threats in today’s world; allied nations not only need to jointly formulate plans but also need military capabilities that are complementary and interoperable,” he stated.
Marles, speaking to reporters after the meeting, mentioned that the US military presence in Australia is strengthening and showing an upward trend in various areas. He highlighted that this is crucial for providing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, maintaining peace and stability, and aligning with Australia’s national interests.
Both sides agreed to accelerate the initiative for the deployment of forces in Australian bases, strengthen joint logistics cooperation, and enhance interoperability through joint exercises. They also discussed advancing defense industry cooperation and jointly developing guided weapons and next-generation capabilities.
Marles mentioned that more details will be announced at the later-held Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN).
He particularly highlighted the progress in the trilateral partnership between the US, UK, and Australia (AUKUS), welcoming the recent arrival of US Navy sailors at the HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia.
According to the AUKUS agreement, starting from 2027, up to four US Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines will be periodically deployed at the base. These submarines belong to the US Navy and will be commanded and operated by the US.
This deployment plan, known as the Submarine Rotational Force–West (SRF-W), will be supported by the personnel who recently arrived at the base, providing critical assistance for the program.
The meeting took place as the Pacific Islands Forum was held in Palau. Australia and the US announced a total of approximately $580 million in funding to Pacific island countries, while China continues to expand its influence in the region through grants, aid, and infrastructure projects.
The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty was signed in 1951 by Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, allowing US forces to train and store military equipment in Australia. The treaty covers rotational deployments of military aircraft and providing logistical support for US ships. Since the mid-1980s, New Zealand partially withdrew due to its nuclear-free policy, and currently, the treaty primarily serves as the foundation for US-Australia bilateral cooperation.