U.S. defense cooperation efforts in the Indo-Pacific are paying dividends in the form of closer ties with allies and partners as Washington looks to maintain its edge in the face of China's growing military might.
As part of a series of deals with Australia, Washington recently agreed to take “major steps” to ramp up military deployments, boost the capabilities of U.S. forces and increase defense-industrial collaboration with Canberra — moves that not only expand Washington’s military footprint in the region but also make it more resilient, experts say.
Announced Saturday following two days of consultations between the nations' foreign and defense chiefs in Brisbane, the agreements will mean not only more U.S. troops, ships, planes and weapons in Australia, but also the integration of Japan into more military initiatives between the U.S. and Australia.