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Six of Australia’s international partners are deploying forces to the participate in training activities as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre.
Foreign military personnel from the US, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are en route to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre.
France, India and Indonesia are also expected to participate as observer nations.
The exercise is designed to strengthen interoperability through combined and Joint Task Force operations.
This year’s exercise, which will mark the ninth iteration, is expected to involve a field training exercise incorporating force preparation (logistic) activities, amphibious landings, ground force manoeuvre, urban operations, air combat, and maritime operations.
“Around 1,800 foreign military personnel will arrive in Australia for this year’s exercise. We will also have part of the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin participating, as well as naval and air assets exercising exclusively off-shore,” Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, said.
“The ADF, together with our United States and visiting partner nations, are committed to delivering a safe exercise, not just for the personnel involved, but the community as well.
“The exercise is fundamental to our alliance with the United States and critical to maintaining ADF combat readiness.”
The exercise is set to take place at a range of Defence bases and non-Defence training areas across central and north-east Queensland and off the east coast of Australia.
“Talisman Sabre would not be possible without the cooperation and ongoing support of the local community, councils, state authorities – including chief health officers – and traditional owners,” LTGEN Bilton added.
“Defence will keep the public well-informed of planned activities and movements, implement COVIDSafe plans agreed to with the states and territories to mitigate the risks of COVID-19.”
Most of the international forces, arriving over the coming weeks, are expected to quarantine in either Bladin Village in the Northern Territory or ADF managed hotels in Queensland, while others will be quarantined in ADF-managed hotels in NSW.
International forces will arrive in tranches of up to several hundred, from early June to mid-July.
Exercise Talisman Sabre is scheduled to commence on 14 July 2021 with an opening ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley, and will wrap-up on 31 July 2021.
[Related: RAN joins French Navy for exercise through South China Sea]
