Largest military exercise in Southern Hemisphere concludes in Australia
More than 150 UK personnel and troops from 12 other nations took part in Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia.
This year marked the 10th iteration of Talisman Sabre with the UK's largest contribution to the exercise with capabilities from across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
"Security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific is essential. Exercise Talisman Sabre demonstrates the UK's commitment to the region and the strength of our ties with friends and allies," Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.
The exercise involved 34,000 troops and took place across five states and territories, with much of the maritime elements taking place off the coast of New South Wales and Queensland in an area the size of mainland Europe, testing joint capabilities across land, sea, air and, less tangibly, space and digital.
Royal Marines strike teams from 40 Commando carried out surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions, establishing a foothold inland to pave the way for larger forces to land ashore on Australia's eastern coast.
Major Aran Sandiford, the Company Commander leading the UK Commando Forces on the exercise, said: "The opportunity for UK Commando Forces to integrate with like-minded, specialist reconnaissance and raiding forces, really is invaluable."
"As well as being a fantastic chance to develop shared tactics and practice operating alongside key partners, deploying commandos into the Indo-Pacific is one of the best ways of demonstrating the Royal Navy's continued commitment to the region."
Electronic warfare from the British Army's 14 Signals Regiment, 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, observers from 4th Battalion Ranger Regiment and UK Space Command attended for the first time, signalling a growing intent from the UK.
RAF Support Force, based at RAF Wittering, provided crucial logistical support, ensuring the provision of 40,000 meals for more than 600 personnel alongside their Australian counterparts.
For the first time since Exercise Talisman Sabre began in 2005, it incorporated the British Army's 14 Signals Regiment, 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, observers from 4th Battalion Ranger Regiment and UK Space Command.
As well as Australia and the UK, other coun tries that took part were: USA, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, and Tonga, with military personnel from India, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand observing the exercise.
Exercise Talisman Sabre tragically witnessed the loss of an Australian helicopter at sea on 28 July.
UK personnel actively participated in search and rescue efforts for the crew.
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin conveyed his deepest condolences to his Australian counterpart, acknowledging the tragic loss of four Australian Army soldiers.
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