Australia, US to boost defence ties 

CANBERRA,Sep 2: Australia and the United States said they would boost their defence ties in a move that could expand the US military presence in Australia, while strengthening deterrence across the Pacific, where China has been expanding its influence.

After meeting USDefence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington D.C., Defence Minister Richard Marles told reporters on Wednesday that "American force posture in Australia is growing" and was on the rise across every domain. 

The US�"Australia Force Posture Initiatives are agreements that allow US military forces to train and store equipment in Australia, including the rotational deployment of aircraft and logistics support for US vessels.

"We think that's really important in terms of providing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, providing for stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific, and that's very much in Australia's national interest."

Marles did not specify if the greater level of cooperation would mean more US troops being stationed in Australia, but said further details would be provided at the next meeting of Australian and USdefence ministers later this year.

Australia-USdefence cooperation also includes the AUKUS defence pact between the US, Britain and Australia. Some USdefence personnel are working at the HMAS Stirling naval base on Australia's west coast, which will house four US-commanded Virginia-class submarines from 2027.

China calls the AUKUS pact dangerous and has warned it could spur a regional arms race.�" REUTERS