Readout of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's Meeting With Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles

On September 2, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles at the Pentagon. The two leaders commemorated the 75-year anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty and discussed how both nations will continue to advance the alliance and strengthen deterrence in the Pacific.

Secretary Hegseth emphasized the need for capable allies to contribute to the collective defense and invest in their own sovereign security. The Secretary noted the alignment between U.S. and Australian National Defense Strategies and also acknowledged that Canberra recognizes the gravity of maintaining a favorable balance of power in the region to ensure that both countries remain safe and prosperous.

Both leaders agreed to accelerate force posture initiatives at Australian bases, bolster cooperation in combined logistics, and build greater interoperability through joint exercises. They also discussed progress on defense industrial cooperation to enable shared capacity for guided weapons and next-generation capabilities.

The Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister also spotlighted advancements in the AUKUS partnership and welcomed the recent arrival of U.S. Navy sailors in Western Australia to support the commencement of Submarine Rotational Force - West activities in 2027.