Talisman Sabre 2025 Kicks Off with Unprecedented Scale

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the largest-ever joint military exercise between Australia and the United States, launched on 13 July 2025, showcasing unparalleled military coordination across 19 nations. Spanning from Christmas Island to the Coral Sea, this biennial event underscores a strong commitment to regional security and interoperability amid rising global tensions. With over 35,000 personnel involved, the exercise emphasises multi-domain warfighting capabilities, including advanced air, sea, land, space, and cyber operations, reinforcing the strength of allied partnerships.

The opening ceremony aboard the HMAS Adelaide landing dock in Sydney marked the start of the 11th iteration of Talisman Sabre, described by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as the “most advanced warfighting exercise in Australia’s history.” This year’s exercise, running until 4 August, includes 150 aircraft, 35 warships, and seven live-fire exercises across 70 training areas, with Papua New Guinea hosting activities for the first time. The participation of nations such as Canada, Germany, Japan, and newcomers like India and the Philippines highlights a unified effort to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, sending a clear message to potential adversaries.

Notably, the exercise features cutting-edge assets, including Australia’s UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and Precision Strike Missiles, alongside New Zealand’s NH90 helicopters, which are similar to Australia’s retired Taipan fleet. The United States Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey and Singapore’s CH-47F Chinooks add to the diverse array of capabilities, despite some past safety concerns associated with certain platforms. Acting Defence Minister Pat Conroy emphasised the ADF’s preparedness for foreign surveillance, stating, “We’ll adjust accordingly to manage intelligence leakage,” amid expectations of Chinese monitoring, as seen in previous exercises.

The scale of Talisman Sabre 2025 reflects a strategic response to escalating regional challenges, particularly in the South Pacific, where concerns about foreign influence are growing. While the current Labor government balances diplomatic ties—including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s concurrent visit to China—this exercise signals Australia’s firm alignment with its allies. This demonstration of military strength and unity serves as a reminder of Australia’s determination to protect its interests and uphold regional stability, setting a high standard for future collaborations.