In preparation for the 34th Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles at the Pentagon to discuss the progress of the military-to-military relationship between the two nations. Austin, who recently returned from his 11th visit to the Indo-Pacific region, expressed pride in the accomplishments made in the last three years. The two leaders share a vision for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific and are working together to make that vision a reality through various initiatives.
One of the key initiatives discussed was the historic trilateral partnership between Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. known as AUKUS. This partnership involves two pillars, one of which aims to provide Australia with conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, while the other focuses on enhancing joint capabilities and interoperability. Austin emphasized the importance of building on the historic results achieved so far and strengthening the alliance between the two countries in the years to come. He credited Marles as a driving force behind the momentum and progress of the partnership.
Marles highlighted the significant growth in the partnership between the U.S. and Australia since Austin became the U.S. secretary of defense. He pointed to the transformative impact of initiatives like AUKUS on Australia’s military capability and the increasing U.S. force posture in the region. Marles also expressed gratitude for Austin’s leadership in other global regions, such as Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He mentioned important partnerships led by the U.S., including the trilateral partnership with Japan and South Korea and the quadrilateral partnership with Japan, Australia, and the Philippines.
Despite the challenges in the current security environment, Marles emphasized the importance of the relationship between the United States and Australia, stating that it has never been more important than now. The two defense leaders will be joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong in Annapolis, Maryland, for further discussions. The ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and Australia, along with their regional partners, reflects a commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region amidst the complex global challenges.
