Australia is set to host its largest-ever multinational military exercise, Talisman Sabre 2025, from 13 July to 4 August. The exercise will bring together over 30,000 military personnel from 19 countries in a high-tempo display of allied cooperation and combat readiness across multiple domains.
For the first time in the exercise’s history, Papua New Guinea will also play host, marking a significant milestone in regional defence collaboration as the country celebrates its 50th year of independence.
Now in its 11th iteration, Talisman Sabre is the premier bilateral training activity between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States military. It continues to evolve into a larger and more complex showcase of alliance interoperability and joint force projection, the Australian Defence release said.
This year’s exercise underscores Australia’s growing security ties with Indo-Pacific partners. Forces from India, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom will join the U.S. and Australian contingents. Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam will participate as observers.
A Multi-Domain Operational Focus
Talisman Sabre 2025 will test integrated operations across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains. Key elements include amphibious and airborne landings, live-fire demonstrations, and coordinated manoeuvres simulating high-intensity conflict scenarios.
“This exercise demonstrates our enduring alliance with the United States and deepens our cooperation with partners across the Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations. “It’s a critical opportunity to show that we can integrate and operate together at scale to deliver real operational outcomes.”
The exercise will take place across a wide geographic area in Australia—Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and Christmas Island—with planning involving both Defence and non-defence training areas.
Strengthening Regional Ties
In a major first, parts of the exercise will be held in Papua New Guinea, reflecting a broader strategic effort to bolster defence relationships with Pacific partners.
“This is a significant step forward in our partnership with Papua New Guinea,” said Vice Admiral Jones. “Hosting part of the exercise there highlights the increasing integration between our defence forces.”
Logistical Feat of Planning and Integration
Brigadier Damian Hill, the exercise director, highlighted the complexity behind staging Talisman Sabre 2025, noting that the scale of personnel and equipment movement involved is unprecedented.
“We’ve spent months planning to ensure a safe, coordinated, and effective training environment,” he said. “I want to thank the traditional owners, landowners, state authorities, and community stakeholders whose cooperation has been vital in enabling this large-scale international effort.”
With global tensions continuing to rise and strategic competition intensifying in the Indo-Pacific, Talisman Sabre 2025 is a timely demonstration of allied resolve, capability, and unity of purpose.
Team BharatShakti
