Australia’s largest and most complex bilateral military exercise, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, officially launched today with an opening ceremony held aboard HMAS Adelaide.
The exercise marks a significant milestone as it not only spans across Australian states and territories but will, for the first time, extend its activities into Papua New Guinea.
Over the next three weeks, more than 35,000 military personnel from Australia and 18 partner nations will conduct a range of training operations across Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales, Christmas Island, and Papua New Guinea.
Participating countries include the United States, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom, with Malaysia and Vietnam attending as observers.
Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations for the Australian Defence Force, emphasized the strategic importance of the joint training.
“Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 unites more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations and provides an unrivalled opportunity to train together across the sea, land, air, space and cyber domains,” he said.
“Exercise Talisman Sabre remains a powerful demonstration of Australia’s enduring commitment to strengthening relationships between trusted allies and partners, in support of a peaceful, stable and sovereign Indo-Pacific.”
The three-week operation will feature a series of live-fire drills, amphibious landings, ground force maneuvers, and air and maritime combat exercises. The training also includes force preparation activities and joint operational planning, all designed to boost interoperability between allied forces. This year, Australia is also showcasing new ADF assets such as the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and the Precision Strike Missile, expanding the scope and technological edge of the operation.
According to Lieutenant General Joel B. Vowell, Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific, the exercise represents more than just military readiness.
“Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 is a powerful demonstration of our combined strength, trust, interoperability, and readiness across the Indo-Pacific,” said Lt. Gen. Vowell.
“As part of the Combined Joint Force, we train diligently and realistically to integrate capabilities across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, operating alongside our allies and partners from 19 nations.”
“Exercises like Talisman Sabre allow us to employ war winning capabilities, operate in critical locations, signal our multinational resolve, and galvanize our collective will. This is how we generate deterrence and work towards our ultimate goal: no war,” he added.
“Together, we are building tactical trust, practicing our operational maneuvers, and reaffirming our strategic commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Vice Admiral Jones also acknowledged the critical role of host communities in supporting this massive operation.
“Defence appreciates the support of the community for our essential training,” he said.
“Throughout planning to execution, we have been conducting site surveys and meetings with state authorities, traditional owners and key stakeholders to inform a safe and productive exercise for all participating nations.
Powerful and emotional because the training coincide with the 50th anniversary celebration of Papua New Guinea and comradeship and mutual bond betweden PNG Defence Force Australian Armed forces and American Armed forces during world world war two in PNG and our historical victories honour and Valor for our people
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