US to increase force projection from Australia in face of ‘coercive’ China

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shake hands, during the 2024 Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) at the State Department in Washington, U.S., August 5, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt

Reuters | August 7, 2024 | 11:19 AM IST | United States of America | Follow on Google News

US to increase force projection from Australia in face of ‘coercive’ China

US to increase force projection from Australia in face of ‘coercive’ China

By Kirsty Needham

Item 1 of 3 Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shake hands, during the 2024 Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) at the State Department in Washington, U.S., August 5, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt

[1/3]Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shake hands, during the 2024 Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) at the State Department in Washington, U.S., August 5, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

SYDNEY, Aug 7 (Reuters) – Australia will begin co-manufacturing guided weapons with the US next year to boost supply for allies in the Indo Pacific and increase a US military presence in the country, including bomber aircraft, the two nations said after annual defence talks.

Australia and the United States are already working to upgrade air bases in northern and western Australia, which are closer to potential flashpoints with China in the South China Sea than Australia’s capital of Canberra.Apple’s lucrative relationship with Google could be at risk after a judge ruled that the search giant is operating an illegal monopoly.00:0101:18

After annual AUSMIN talks in Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said there would be an increase in the presence of rotational U.S. forces in Australia.

“This will mean more maritime patrol aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft operating from bases across northern Australia. It will also mean more frequent rotational bomber deployments,” he said.

In opening remarks Austin said the two allies faced shared security challenges including “coercive behaviour” by China.

Reuters