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The US will deploy defence tech, data sharing tech and test missile systems in Australia, according to recent comments from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The US Secretary of Defense made the comments during his attendance at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 in Singapore on 31 May.
“And under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is committed to achieving peace through strength. That starts with deterring aggression around the world and here in the Indo-Pacific, here in our priority theatre, here with you – our allies and our partners,” he said.
“The United States stands ready to work with any country that is willing to step up and preserve the global and regional peace that we all hold dear.
“Your presence here today sends a strong message about our shared purpose, our shared commitment to peace, our shared dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Hegseth confirmed that the US Army has plans to conduct its first live-fire test of its Mid-Range Capability system in Australia – the first time that system is fired west of the International Date Line and the first time it’s been tested on foreign soil.
Regarding regional integrated air and missile defence, he affirmed that the US is deploying several key missile defence technologies and data-sharing partnerships with Japan and Australia.
In addition, he announced that the first project plans to establish repair capability and capacity for P-8 radar systems in Australia, a project that will develop standards for small unmanned aerial systems across the Indo-Pacific, as well as deepening US cooperation with Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise and reaching an agreement for Australia to produce 155 millimetre ammunition and to assemble Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.
Secretary Hegseth also called out “harassment” of aircraft and sea vessels in the region by Chinese military forces.
“Beyond our borders, and beyond our neighbourhood, we are reorienting toward deterring aggression by Communist China,” he said.
“We do not seek conflict with Communist China. We will not instigate nor seek to subjugate or humiliate.
“China seeks to become a hegemonic power in Asia. No doubt. It hopes to dominate and control too many parts of this vibrant and vital region … We cannot look away, and we cannot ignore it. China’s behaviour towards its neighbours and the world is a wake-up call. And an urgent one.
“China uses its vast and sophisticated cyber capabilities to steal technology and attack critical infrastructure – in your countries and in the United States, as well. These actions not only compromise our countries but endanger the lives of our citizens.
“In the South China Sea, China harasses its neighbours – many of which are here in the room today. China seeks to intimidate you in your own waters … We’re also seeing the illegal seizing and militarising of lands in the South China Sea.
“Every day you see it. China’s military harasses Taiwan. These activities have been paired with China’s rapid military modernisation and build-up – including huge investments in nuclear weapons, hypersonics and amphibious assault capabilities.
“It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. We know. It’s public that Xi has ordered his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027. The PLA is building the military needed to do it. Training for it every day. And rehearsing for the real deal.
“Again, to be clear: any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world. There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real … President Trump has also said that Communist China will not invade Taiwan on his watch. So, our goal is to prevent war, to make the costs too high, and peace the only option.
“We know that many countries are tempted by the idea of seeking both economic cooperation with China and defence cooperation with the United States. Now that is a geographic necessity for many. But beware the leverage that the CCP seeks with that entanglement. Economic dependence on China only deepens their malign influence and complicates our defence decision space during times of tension.
“But if deterrence fails, and if called upon by my Commander in Chief, we are prepared to do what the Department of Defense does best, fight and win, decisively.”
Hegseth also called for greater collaboration with India to co-produce equipment needed to deter aggression from the People’s Republic of China. Specifically, he detailed the first US–India industry-government experts exchange to produce and field state-of-the-art autonomous systems as part of the US-India Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance.
