During the 14th trilateral defense minister's Meeting between the US, Japan, and Australia, the three countries finalised steps to further enhance defense cooperation and interoperability.
In a joint statement, the three sides outlined steps to increase intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The three leaders—Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen, and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles—agreed to build advanced capabilities together, and improve operational coordination and information sharing.
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The three countries will also expand trilateral participation in key exercises, according to a US Defence Department release.
As part of the new initiatives, Japan will increase its participation in Exercise Southern Jackaroo and Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia from next year. Australia, meanwhile, will participate in Exercise Orient Shield in 2025 and boost its participation in Exercises Yama Sakura, Keen Edge and Keen Sword.
The three leaders laid out steps to build advanced capabilities together, improve operational coordination and information sharing and demonstrate the presence of the US, Japan and Australia in the Indo-Pacific alongside key regional allies.
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"Today, more than ever, we are taking concrete actions that will deepen our trilateral cooperation, and the three of us are here to see the results firsthand," Austin said.
"Together we're continuing to build on the progress our three countries have achieved over the past four years, and I look forward to growing our partnership to endure well into the future,” he added.