Canberra
The massive Talisman Sabre 2025 military exercise officially began in Sydney on Monday, uniting over 35,000 troops from 19 nations, including Australia, the US, India, Japan, and many others.
First held in 2005 as a joint drill between Australia and the US, Talisman Sabre has grown into the largest military exercise of its kind. This year marks its 11th and biggest edition yet.
An opening ceremony was held on board the Australian naval ship HMAS Adelaide at Garden Island in Sydney. Over the next three weeks, troops will conduct exercises across Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales, and even Christmas Island. For the first time, activities will also take place in Papua New Guinea. Malaysia and Vietnam are attending as observers.
The exercise will include live fire drills, amphibious landings, ground maneuvers, air combat operations, maritime missions, and even training in cyber and space domains.
Australian Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones called it an "unrivalled opportunity" to train together and demonstrate commitment to a peaceful Indo-Pacific. "It shows our strong partnerships and commitment to regional stability," he said.
US Deputy Commanding General Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell described it as a powerful sign of combined strength and readiness, emphasizing teamwork to keep the Indo-Pacific "free and open."
The Australian Defence Ministry stressed that extensive planning involved working closely with state authorities and local communities to ensure safe and smooth execution.