Australia, US to host ‘Largest-Ever’ bilateral exercise

Australia and the US will hold their largest bilateral exercise this year, with approximately 30,000 military personnel expected to participate.

The 14-day Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 will be conducted from July 22 to August 4. Drills will be held in Queensland, the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and Western Australia.

Exercise Talisman Sabre

In its tenth iteration, Exercise Talisman Sabre will involve multi-domain firepower demonstrations, land combat, amphibious and airborne operations, and large-scale logistics.

The exercises will be administered across different defense and nondefense training areas.

“Talisman Sabre 2023 will be the largest ever iteration of the exercise in terms of both geographic span and also partner nation involvement,” Exercise Talisman Sabre Director Brig. Damian Hill said.

“Considerable planning has gone into a safe and productive exercise for all participants.”

“This year’s exercise will demonstrate our ability to receive large volumes of personnel and equipment into Australia from across the Indo-Pacific and stage, integrate and move them forward into the large exercise area.”

Bolstering Military Cooperation

Joining partner countries include Japan, the UK, Germany, Canada, France, Indonesia, Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, and New Zealand.

Representatives from Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines will be present to observe the exercise.

“Talisman Sabre is a practical demonstration of our enduring Alliance with the United States, through deepening cooperation in training and innovation,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stated.

“Australia is excited to host what will be the largest ever iteration of Talisman Sabre this year, involving more of our partner nations than ever before.”

“Talisman Sabre reflects a shared commitment to enduring relationships between trusted partners, and a stable Indo-Pacific through an upholding of the rules-based order.”