The US commissioned a warship in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, the first time a US Navy vessel has joined active duty in a foreign port, as the two close allies strengthen their military ties in response to China’s expanding regional reach.
The Independence class littoral combat ship named after a Royal Australian Navy cruiser that was sunk in support of the US Marine landings on Quadalcanal in 1942 was commissioned in a ceremony at the Australian Naval Base in Sydney Harbour, officially joining the US Navy’s active fleet.
Australian Defense Minister Marles said “Australians can be proud that this ship, designed in Western Australia by local industry and named after HMAS Canberra, is being commissioned here for the first time in the history of the United States Navy, our shared commitment to a rules-based order”.
The ceremony takes place during the biennial Talisman Saber military exercise between the US and Australia, which is seen as a show of strength and unity as China increasingly asserts power in the Indo-Pacific. Held at various locations across Australia over two weeks, the exercises include mock ground and air combat as well as amphibious landings.
In addition to Australia and the US, forces from Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Tonga and Britain are participating.
Germany is participating for the first time with 210 paratroopers and marines as the European nation strengthens its presence in the region. As part of the AUKUS project announced in March, the United States and Britain agreed to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
Before that, in the early 1930s, the United States would sell Australia three US Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines, with an option for Australia to buy two more.
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