US and Australia Agree to Expand American Military Presence

The United States and Australia agreed to boost the US military presence in Australia and accelerate defence cooperation, citing China's military build-up. The announcement followed a meeting between US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles in Washington on Wednesday. The Pentagon said the two nations will accelerate force posture initiatives at Australian bases, bolster combined logistics, and build greater interoperability through joint exercises. They also discussed defence industrial cooperation for guided weapons and next-generation capabilities, with Marles citing cooperation in logistics, air forces, cyber, and space. Australia hosts US Marines for six months annually in Darwin and will receive a rotating force of US-commanded submarines next year. The nations are also pursuing nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact, though critics question whether Australia will receive them.