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The US and Australia have announced plans to boost munitions production and increase US bomber deployments to the region.
What’s the deal: At a press conference in Maryland, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles announced major initiatives to boost defense collaboration between their countries. They plan to co-produce Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs). The agreement also involves:
- Increasing deployment of US forces in Australia.
- Increase amount bomber, fighter aircraft, maritime patrol, and reconnaissance aircraft in the region.
- Upgrading military infrastructure.
- Setting up long-term bases for American troops.
What they said: In a joint statement released by Australia and the United States, both countries expressed concern about China’s “excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea that are inconsistent with international law and unilateral actions to change the status quo by force or coercion.” The statement accused China of “escalatory behavior toward Philippine vessels lawfully operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone” and concerns about “China’s recent unsafe and unprofessional encounters with naval vessels and aircraft.”
What Chinese media is saying: Chinese State-controlled news outlet “The Global Times” accused the United States of “Weaponizing Australia for geopolitical interests.”
In an article, the outlet claimed that “These moves, under the banner of “security cooperation,” are aimed at positioning Australia to be “at the forefront of Washington’s geopolitical strategy and constitute a provocation in the Asia-Pacific region.” They continued, “The US military build-up in Australia is undeniable evidence of its use of the country as a geopolitical pawn. These deployments are not motivated by concern for Australia’s security needs but by US’ pursuit of global strategic interests.”
