Australia and US to boost defence ties as China expands Pacific influence

During a meeting in Washington D.C. on September 2, 2026, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles agreed to expand bilateral defense ties and accelerate force posture initiatives. The move aims to counter China's rapid military expansion, which Marles described as the largest since World War II. Additionally, the HMAS Stirling naval base will host US submarines by 2027 under the AUKUS pact, while both nations committed $580 million to support Pacific Island countries.

US-Australia force posture expansion

• ▪The United States and Australia agreed to accelerate force posture initiatives, bolster combined logistics, build joint exercise interoperability, and share capacity for guided weapons.
• ▪The US-Australia Force Posture Initiatives allow United States military forces to train, store equipment, rotationally deploy aircraft, and receive logistics support for vessels in Australia.
• ▪Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated on September 2, 2026, that American military force posture in Australia is growing across every domain.
• ▪US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles met in Washington D.C. on September 2, 2026, agreeing to boost bilateral defense ties.

China's Pacific military buildup

• ▪The United States and Australia are expanding defense cooperation to build deterrence against China's growing influence and military presence in the Pacific region.
• ▪Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles described China's military expansion as the largest conventional military build-up by any country since the Second World War.

AUKUS defense pact implementation

• ▪China has characterized the AUKUS defense pact as dangerous and warned that the agreement could trigger a regional arms race.
• ▪The AUKUS defense pact between the United States, Great Britain, and Australia involves United States defense personnel working at the HMAS Stirling naval base.
• ▪The HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia is scheduled to house four US-commanded Virginia-class submarines starting in 2027.

Pacific Islands Forum

• ▪The Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau concluded on September 3, 2026, amid the absence of several leaders.
• ▪China protested the presence of Taiwan's foreign minister at the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Palau in September 2026.

Regional funding commitments

• ▪The United States and Australia announced a combined $580 million in funding for Pacific Island nations to counter Chinese regional influence.
• ▪China continues to expand its influence in the Pacific Island region through grants, infrastructure projects, and development aid.