U.S., Australia Invite Japan to Increase Pacific Military Role

Amid concerns about Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. and Australia are making new commitments to regional security, reports Breaking Defense.

On Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted their Australian counterparts, Richard Marles and Penny Wong for the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultation in Washington, D.C.

Following the talks, the ministers invited Japan to integrate into “force posture initiatives” in Australia.

Austin also pledged to prevent a “capability gap” between the planned retirement of Australia’s Collins-class submarines in 2039 and the deployment of its first nuclear-powered attack subs as well as a committing to increased troop and bomber rotations to Australia.

The sides also agreed to strengthen defense industry and infrastructure.