From July 13 to August 4, 2025, the 11th iteration of the Talisman Sabre joint military exercise, hosted by Australia, will take place across the Australian mainland and its overseas territories.
This year’s exercise brings together more than 30,000 troops from 19 countries, marking the largest edition of the Australia–U.S. joint training to date.
Significantly, the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) will participate in Talisman Sabre for the first time, with portions of the exercise to be conducted on PNG soil. This milestone marks a new phase in Australia–PNG military cooperation and reflects evolving strategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.
Originally a bilateral exercise between Australia and the United States, Talisman Sabre aims to develop multi-domain operational capabilities, encompassing land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace.
This year’s focus is on the concept of “multi-domain integrated operations,” with drills including amphibious and airborne landings, firepower demonstrations, joint command coordination, and logistics support. Exercises will be spread across Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and Christmas Island, making it a comprehensive and realistic large-scale military display.
PNG’s inaugural participation signifies not only its increasing engagement in regional security affairs but also a deeper symbolic alignment between Pacific Island nations and the “core alliance circle.”
Notably, the exercise coincides with the 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence. Australia’s decision to extend parts of the drill to PNG can be seen as both a strategic breakthrough in defence cooperation and a symbolic gesture—highlighting Canberra’s growing interest in expanding its strategic footprint in the Pacific.
In addition to Australia, the U.S., and PNG, participating nations include Japan, India, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Fiji, Tonga, and Thailand. Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam will attend as observers.
This diverse lineup encompasses not only the Five Eyes alliance and the Quad (U.S., Japan, India, Australia) but also several Indo-Pacific strategic stakeholders, illustrating a layered, networked architecture led by the United States for regional security.
Australian Joint Operations Commander Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton described Talisman Sabre as a crucial platform to deepen the U.S.–Australia alliance and integrate regional partners. He extended a warm welcome to PNG, stating that its inclusion reflects the increasing closeness of Australia–PNG military ties. Brig. Gen. Damian Hill, the exercise commander, noted that this year’s event is an unprecedented test of large-scale force coordination and integration.
The exercise sends three clear signals:
- Australia’s military presence and organisational capability in Indo-Pacific affairs are rapidly rising, enhancing its role as a regional convenor.
- The United States is operationalising and expanding its “Asia-Pacific Rebalance” strategy through a web of alliances and partnerships, reinforcing its strategic primacy in the region.
- For Pacific Island nations like PNG, their emerging role in geopolitical competition is becoming increasingly pronounced. Their geographic position near potential fault lines may bring new security challenges and diplomatic choices.
Although China is not explicitly named as an adversary, the multi-domain operational framework and composition of participating nations strongly suggest a strategic posture geared toward high-tech major power competition.
As the saying goes: In a changing world, standing still is falling behind. For a rising power, maintaining strategic vigilance, understanding regional shifts, and responding with wisdom are essential to navigating complexity and achieving long-term stability.
