India Joins Massive Multinational Military Drill in Australia as China Watches Closely

India has joined 18 other nations in the largest-ever iteration of the Talisman Sabre military exercise, currently underway in Australia, as regional tensions simmer and Chinese surveillance intensifies.

The exercise, hosted in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area of Queensland, includes more than 35,000 troops and a wide range of cutting-edge military hardware, making it one of the most significant multilateral defence collaborations in the Indo-Pacific.

While the exercise primarily aims to improve interoperability among partner forces, it has also drawn scrutiny from Beijing. Australian officials have confirmed that Chinese spy ships have been spotted once again near the exercise zone, continuing a pattern of monitoring that began in 2017.

India’s Growing Military Footprint in the Indo-Pacific

India’s participation in Talisman Sabre marks a significant step in its expanding military diplomacy and strategic outreach. As a core member of the QUAD grouping, alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia, India’s presence underscores its commitment to maintaining a stable and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

“India’s involvement in such a high-profile, coalition-based drill sends a clear signal: it is willing to partner with like-minded nations to uphold regional security,” said a former senior Indian naval officer. “This is not just about military coordination; it’s about shaping the balance of power in a contested region.”

India has been increasingly investing in undersea capabilities, with its navy deploying a growing fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and developing indigenous surveillance systems. Just weeks before the exercise, India and Australia launched their first bilateral defence project focused on underwater detection—a major milestone in technological cooperation.

China Keeps Watch—Again

Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy acknowledged that Chinese surveillance of the exercise is expected and routine. “They’ve monitored every Talisman Sabre since 2017—it would be more unusual if they didn’t show up,” he noted.

Chinese intelligence ships are believed to be collecting data on force composition, manoeuvre tactics, and missile launches, including those conducted from the U.S. M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). Although technically legal under international law, the persistent presence of Chinese military vessels highlights the underlying geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

The Strategic Context: QUAD and Maritime Security

The growing India-Australia defence partnership and the broader QUAD framework aim to address precisely these types of strategic challenges. At the recent QUAD foreign ministers’ summit in Washington, the four nations reaffirmed their joint commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, vowing to resist coercion and uphold international maritime law.

One of the summit’s most tangible outcomes was the announcement of an India-Australia project on undersea surveillance, leveraging AI-powered target motion analysis to detect submarines and AUVs. The joint research between India’s DRDO and Australia’s DSTG aims to enhance early warning systems, which are critical to naval deterrence.

“This partnership exemplifies the innovation-driven collaboration necessary to address evolving undersea threats,” said Amanda Bessell, a senior official in Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group. “It’s not just about stealth—it’s about awareness.”

Australia Walks a Diplomatic Tightrope

Amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China, Australia continues to navigate a delicate balance. When recently asked whether it would join U.S. forces in a potential conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific, Australia declined to offer a definitive response. “We don’t comment on hypotheticals,” said Minister Conroy. “When and if such situations arise, we’ll consider our position then.”

The response has stirred unease in Washington but reflects a growing consensus in Canberra and Tokyo. While both nations are committed to deterrence, they are reluctant to be drawn into premature escalations.

Why It Matters for India and the Region

For India, Talisman Sabre is not just a drill—it’s a platform to refine joint warfighting capabilities, deepen strategic ties, and project maritime influence. With China asserting territorial claims across the South China Sea and beyond, India’s expanding role in Indo-Pacific coalitions provides a crucial counterbalance.

As undersea warfare becomes the new frontier of maritime competition, India’s growing investment in AUVs and sonar systems positions it as a pivotal security actor in the region. The synergy between strategic exercises like Talisman Sabre and cutting-edge R&D collaborations highlights the multi-dimensional nature of India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

Team BharatShakti