US lead 'largest ever military exercises' with major country amid World War III fears
The US and Australia have embarked on a colossal military exercise, but what does this mean for global peace?
Anxieties are increasing over a possible World War III as it emerges that the US has participated in some of the “largest ever” military exercises.
Teaming up with Australia, trainee troops from both countries took part in the most extensive military training operation to date, dubbed 'Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025'. It took place at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, located off Queensland's coastline, featuring 35,000 military personnel representing 19 nations.
Vice Admiral Justin Jones, chief of joint operations, spearheaded the event and declared: "Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 unites more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations and provides an unrivalled opportunity to train together across multiple domains.
“It demonstrates Australia's enduring commitment to strengthening ties with trusted allies in support of a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific. Throughout the planning and execution, we've engaged with state authorities, traditional owners and stakeholders to ensure the exercise is safe, respectful, and productive for all involved."
Participating nations encompassed the US alongside the UK, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Fiji, India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Tonga.
Additionally, Malaysia and Vietnam were present as observers during the proceedings. The specifics of the upcoming military training, shrouded in secrecy, are not for public consumption, but it's understood to encompass air combat simulations, live fire drills, cyber warfare, and amphibious assaults.
The exercises will feature synchronised operations across land, sea, air, and space domains.
As well as Queensland's coastline, the training is set to take place at various sites including the Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales, and Christmas Island over the next three weeks, before proceeding to Papua New Guinea.
Brigadier Nick Wilson, addressing the media, highlighted the significant milestone: "Today was the first time the Australian Army has live-fired our long-range, multi-domain platforms, being the HIMARS, so it is a remarkable day."
Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy revealed that Chinese surveillance vessels were observing the offshore drills, but appeared to shrug this off, saying: "The Chinese military has observed these exercises since 2017. It'd be very unusual for them not to observe it.
"We'll adjust accordingly. We'll obviously observe their activities and monitor their presence around Australia, but we'll also adjust how we conduct those exercises."
