Australia agrees to increased US air deployments after sub deal
(VOVWORLD) - Australia and the United States announced expanded military cooperation on Thursday, including rotational deployments of all types of US military aircraft to Australia, a day after announcing a submarine deal.
 Australian Minister of Defense Peter Dutton. (Photo: REUTERS) |
Speaking after meetings between the US and Australian foreign and defense ministers, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the two sides would be significantly enhancing their force posture cooperation, increasing interoperability and deepening alliance activities in the Indo-Pacific.
"This will include greater air cooperation through rotational deployments of all types of U.S. military aircraft to Australia," Dutton told a joint news conference in Washington.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the meeting had endorsed "major force-posture initiatives” that will expand the US’s access and presence in Australia.
On Wednesday, the United States and Britain said they would provide Australia with the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.