AUSMIN reflects powerful ties

The current AUSMIN talks, which continue in Brisbane on Saturday, have already produced more than warm platitudes between close allies. The news that the Biden administration will ramp up its support for Australia’s guided weapons manufacturing plan and expand the US military’s industrial base to produce missiles in Australia for US forces is a positive strategic development for Australia. It gives a practical edge to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s assertion that the partnership has “never been stronger’’.

Under the weapons deal, finalised on Friday between Defence Minister Richard Marles and his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, US missiles will be manufactured, maintained, repaired and stored in Australia, for use in any potential Indo-Pacific conflict. The US will accelerate the establishment of a Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordinance enterprise in Australia to help overcome capacity constraints at its own weapons plants, while providing Australia with much-needed missiles.

The AUSMIN talks have also produced some clarity about what was looming as a potential roadblock to the AUKUS partnership. In the US, congressional Republicans, reportedly concerned that US defence capabilities will suffer from selling Virginia-class subs to Australia, have reportedly demanded a sharp increase in submarine production to accommodate the transfer of nuclear-powered subs to Australia. In a letter to the White House, 23 Republicans called for more money and a plan to lift Virginia-class submarine production from 1.2 to “a minimum of 2.5” per year. Anthony Albanese, who lunched with Mr Blinken and Mr Austin, said he was “very confident” the AUKUS pact was on track. The Prime Minister received support from both sides of US politics at the recent NATO summit in Lithuania. The US ambassador to Australia also sought to reassure Australia there was no threat to AUKUS. “There is absolutely bipartisan support in the US for AUKUS and for the Australian alliance,’’ Caroline Kennedy said.

From Australia’s perspective, US concern over increasing Chinese influence in the region was reassuring. “You see troubling PRC coercion from the East China Sea to the South China Sea, to right here in the Southwest Pacific,’’ Mr Austin said. “And we will continue to support our allies and partners as they defend themselves from bullying behaviour.”

The US and Australia, he said, were both concerned by China’s flouting of international laws and norms in the region.