Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III held a trilateral defense ministers’ meeting in Hawaii on May 2, 2024. This was the 13th meeting of Australian defense leaders. The three countries highlighted the milestones achieved in the implementation of cooperation activities and practice areas set out in the 2023 Joint Statement.
Ministers are united by shared values and a determination to deepen cooperation to promote security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Ministers welcomed and recognized the importance of the recent strategic documents implemented by each country, and emphasized the deep strategic cooperation and common values between the two countries. Leaders acknowledged the important role that the trilateral partnership plays in contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the important developments over the past year that demonstrate the strengthening of trilateral cooperation at all levels and in all sectors. did.
The Ministers reiterated their strong opposition to any attempt by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the South China Sea and East China Sea. These include concerns and concerns in the South China Sea, including dangerous encounters at sea and in the air, the militarization of disputed areas, and the dangerous use of Coast Guard vessels and maritime militias, including interfering with routine maritime operations and efforts. Includes stabilizing actions. To interfere with other countries’ exploration of marine resources. They strongly protested China’s claims and actions that violate international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and undermine international rules, standards and norms. Leaders resolved to cooperate to assist States in exercising their rights and freedoms in the maritime domain, including freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with UNCLOS.
Ministers emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They called for a peaceful solution to the cross-strait issue.
Ministers reaffirmed their enduring commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous Southeast Asia, where sovereignty is respected, international law is observed, and countries can make decisions free of coercion. The Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the centrality and unity of ASEAN and to the ASEAN-led regional structure. Recognizing the importance of strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asian partners, including the Philippines, the Leaders welcomed the second meeting of the Defense Ministers and Secretaries of Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, also to be held in Hawaii.
Ministers committed to deepening cooperation with Pacific Island States by supporting their needs and efforts in the implementation of the Pacific Island Countries Forum’s 2050 Strategy for a Blue Pacific Continent. Ministers confirmed that they would continue to expand their regional engagement with Pacific countries, particularly through the Pacific Islands Forum, of which Australia is a member, and other comprehensive Pacific frameworks.
Ministers welcomed the US Coast Guard’s deployment of the Harriet Lane cutter on its first Operation Blue Pacific Patrol in Oceania in early 2024. This deployment provided an opportunity for the U.S. Coast Guard to work with Pacific Island nations to share best practices in maritime domain awareness and maritime domain awareness. Support the Forum Fisheries Department’s locally led efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
Ministers are deeply concerned about North Korea’s nuclear and missile development. They strongly condemn North Korea’s repeated missile launches, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and other launches using ballistic missile technology, which are a serious violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Ministers strongly condemn the increased military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including North Korea’s export and Russian procurement of ballistic missiles in violation of Security Council resolutions, as well as Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine. Ministers remain committed to working with the international community to address North Korea’s serious threat to the region. The two leaders once again urge North Korea to immediately resolve the abduction issue and stop human rights violations.
Ministers noted progress made in Japan’s introduction of counterattack capabilities and Australia’s investment in long-range strike capabilities. Both leaders confirmed that Australia and Japan will work closely together, and with the United States, in the introduction of these capabilities.
Ministers recognized the significant progress Australia, the UK and the US have made over the past year towards implementing AUKUS, and noted that the AUKUS partnership positively contributes to regional security and stability. Ministers recognized Japan’s strengths and close bilateral defense partnership with all three AUKUS countries, and acknowledged that AUKUS partners are considering cooperation with Japan on the AUKUS Pillar 2 II Advanced Capabilities Project.
Ministers welcomed the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to enter into force in August 2023. This will enable deeper trilateral cooperation and strengthen interoperability by facilitating the stationing of the Australian Defense Force with the US Forces in Japan and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. US military in Australia. The two leaders marked the first mutual deployment of Japanese F-35A aircraft to Australia and the mutual deployment of Australian F-35A aircraft to Japan in 2023, as the first cooperative activities under the RAA. Additionally, the Ministers welcomed the upcoming activities of the trilateral F-35 joint exercise scheduled for 2025 and 2026. The Ministers noted progress in trilateral training exercises using Australian launch ranges and Japan’s first successful anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile launches in Australia in 2023. Ministers are committed to using the RAA to enable Japan’s participation alongside US forces in armed posture operations in Australia over the next year.
Ministers welcomed the historic firsts and activities in the trilateral work over the past year and reaffirmed their intention to work together to expand the complexity and scope of the work. Since 2022, the three militaries have conducted multiple coordinated asset protection missions, conducted trilateral transits in the South China Sea, and conducted trilateral intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, including actual operations in the air and sea domains. This has increased the complexity of cooperation. The Leaders committed to expanding ISR cooperation among the three countries.
Ministers welcomed Australia’s significant first participation in the Japan-US command post exercise Keen Edge in February, and the ongoing work to advance closer operational cooperation.
Ministers outlined a vision for a networked air defense architecture between the United States, Japan, and Australia, including expanding missile defense information sharing and incorporating future capabilities to counter growing air and missile threats in the Indo-Pacific region. I reconfirmed. They announced the US military, Australian Defense Force and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces’ intention to conduct the first regional air and missile defense live-fire exercise at Exercise Talisman Saber in 2027.
Today, Ministers signed a tripartite Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) Project Agreement. Science and technology cooperation is essential to maintaining the comprehensive advantage of both countries and deepening defense cooperation. This landmark arrangement will enable each defense organization to pursue areas of interest for a high degree of operationally relevant cooperation. Through this arrangement, the ministries will further discuss opportunities for cooperation in the areas of joint combat aircraft and autonomous systems and composite aerospace materials.
Reflecting the important role that the trilateral partnership plays in maintaining regional stability, the Foreign Ministers pledged to strengthen defense cooperation across the following areas:
Trilateral activities and exercises:
- Over the next two years, all three countries will conduct trilateral F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training, including exercises such as:
- Exercise COPE NORTH 2025 – USA
- Exercise BUSHIDO GUARDIAN 2025 – Japan
- Exercise PITCH BLACK 2026 – Australia
- Continue to increase the frequency and complexity of high-end trilateral exercises in northern Australia, such as Exercise Southern Jackaroo.
- Increases opportunities and increases complexity for ISR cooperation.
- Regularize U.S. and Australian Defense Force asset protection missions by the Self-Defense Forces and relays by Australia, Japan, the United States, and other partners.
- Accelerate and deepen trilateral information sharing cooperation.
- Continue trilateral policy and strategic dialogue on regional issues.
Expanding cooperation:
- Pursue cooperation opportunities for trilateral Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) agreements in advanced technologies related to operations.
- Strengthen strategic capabilities cooperation across multiple domains, including conducting the first joint live-fire air-to-air and missile defense exercise at Exercise Talisman Saber in 2027.
- Increase Japan’s participation in Australia-US military posture cooperation activities.
Comprehensive partnership:
- Deepen engagement with ASEAN Member States (including through the ADMM Plus Framework), Pacific Island States, India, the Republic of Korea, and like-minded partners and allies to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order. Masu.
- Coordinate capacity building activities with regional partners.
The Ministers confirmed that trilateral defense cooperation is essential to maintain regional stability, transparency, and respect for international rules and norms. The leaders reiterated their firm determination to keep the Indo-Pacific free, open, secure and prosperous, while continuing to expand the scope of defense cooperation.
