US, Australia hold joint military exercise in Papua New Guinea for first time

1/8/2025 16:35

The joint U.S. and Australian military exercise Talisman Sabre extended across 500 km (300 miles) of remote northern coast in Papua New Guinea this week, Australian officials said, the first time the war games have been taken to another country.



Talisman Sabre exercises in Australia last month involved 40,000 troops from 19 countries.



For the Papua New Guinea component, U.S., Australian and PNG forces are conducting disaster recovery and survival exercises through seven regions of PNG, moving through terrain from Wewak to Lae that saw fierce fighting between Japan and the U.S. in World War Two.



The PNG activities test "combined capabilities across sea, land, air, cyber, and space operations", a U.S. Embassy spokesperson said in a statement.



The Talisman Sabre closing ceremony will be held on Monday in the PNG city of Lae.



The U.S. military gained access to Lae's major seaport under a 2023 defence deal with PNG, signed after China struck a security pact with neighbouring Solomon Islands.



The PNG defence agreement will "enhance security and prosperity for both nations", the U.S. embassy spokesperson added.