Overview

• More than 35,000 personnel from 19 nations have begun three weeks of live-fire, amphibious, air, sea and cyber exercises across Australia and, for the first time, in Papua New Guinea.
• The drills introduce new Australian Defence Force assets, including UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, Precision Strike Missiles, HIMARS rocket systems and submersible drones.
• Chinese surveillance ships are expected to monitor the exercise, continuing a pattern of observation since 2017 and prompting Australian forces to adjust their operations.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China coincides with the exercise, reflecting Australia’s effort to balance alliance commitments with its largest export market.
• Organisers say the multinational operation will enhance interoperability and collective deterrence as strategic competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific.