US, Australia to Hold ‘Largest-Ever’ Talisman Sabre Military Exercise

The biennial drills will involve 30,000 troops

The US and Australia will hold the “largest-ever” iteration of their bilateral military exercise, known as Talisman Sabre, which takes place every two years.

This 10th iteration of the Talisman Sabre will be held from July 22 to August 4 and will involve 30,000 troops. Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Indonesia, Tonga, France, Britain, Canada, and Germany will also participate.

Representatives from the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand will attend as observers. “Talisman Sabre 2023 will be the largest ever iteration of the exercise in terms of both geographic span and also partner nation involvement,” said Brig. Damian Hill, an Australian officer directing the drills.

“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,” he added.

The plans for the massive exercises come after the US, Australia, and Britain unveiled their plans under the AUKUS military pact with the ultimate goal of Canberra being able to produce nuclear-powered submarines by the 2040s.

The US Navy envisions AUKUS will turn Australia into a full-service submarine hub for the US and its allies in the region in operations targeted at China. As part of the deepening US-Australian military ties, the US also plans to deploy more troops and aircraft to Australia, including nuclear-capable B-52 bombers.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.