On Saturday, the United States commissioned a warship in Australia for the very first time a US Navy ship joined active service at a foreign port, as the two nearest allies strengthened their military associations in reply to Beijing’s extending regional reach.
The Independence-class littoral combat ship was designated at a ceremony at an Australian naval base on Sydney Harbor, officially joining the US Navy’s engaged fleet.
In a statement, the Australian defense minister said that we can be proud that this ship, designed in Western Australia by regional industry and is named after HMAS Canberra is being commissioned here in Australia for the first time in the history of the US Navy.
The statement added that US ship commissioning echoed “our shared obligation to maintaining the rules-based order.
The ceremony of commission of the Navy ship comes amid the biennial Talisman Sabre military drills between Washington and Sydney, noticed as a display of strength and unity as Beijing increasingly maintains power in the Indo-Pacific.
The drills will be taking place in different sites across Australia over two weeks, including mock land and air combat, as well as amphibious landings.
In addition to Australia and the US, forces from Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Canada, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Tonga, and the UK are taking part.
On Saturday, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) launched a missile off the Australian east coast at Jervis Bay.
Sydney’s Defense Department said the exercise marked the first time the JGSDF has sampled the ability in Australia.
Germany is experiencing for the first time with 210 paratroopers and marines taking part, as the European nation strengthens its existence in the area.
Under the AUKUS project announced in March, the US and UK have decided to support Sydney in developing a fleet of submarines.
