Australia and the United States have initiated the tenth edition of Exercise Talisman Sabre, marking the largest bilateral military exercise in the region to date. The opening ceremony took place on-board HMAS Canberra, setting the stage for two weeks of intensive high-end multi-domain warfighting across sea, land, air, cyber, and space. This year’s exercise brings together 13 participating nations, aimed at bolstering interoperability and building robust relationships among the military forces involved.
The comprehensive training program includes a wide range of activities such as field training exercises, force preparation, logistics operations, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvres, air combat simulations, and maritime operations. With over 30,000 military personnel deployed across Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and New South Wales, Talisman Sabre 2023 is set to make history by including exercises around Norfolk Island for the first time.
Countries participating in this remarkable display of military cooperation include Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Tonga, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, personnel from India, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand will attend the event as observers, further emphasizing the exercise’s significance on the global stage.
Looking back, Talisman Sabre 2005 served as the inaugural exercise in this series, and since then, it has evolved significantly. Its roots trace back to early 2003 when planning began to combine elements from previous exercises like Tandem Thrust, Kingfisher, and Crocodile. The growth and progress are evident in the execution of the exercise, with numerous successful landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) trips, and Australian S-70A Blackhawk and MH-60S Knight Hawk landings and takeoffs, all jointly coordinated by the U.S. Pacific Command and Australian Defence Force Joint Operations Command.
Exercise Talisman Sabre continues to showcase the dedication of Australia and the United States to strengthening their military capabilities, fostering cooperation with partner nations, and ensuring the security and stability of the region and beyond.