US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has singled out Australia for its support across key military efforts, declaring the alliance 'as strong as it's ever been'.
It follows high-level talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in Singapore on Saturday. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, focused on accelerating AUKUS commitments, expanding US force posture in Australia, and deepening cooperation on advanced defence capabilities.
Hegseth said Australia has been a 'strong partner' in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with the US and Iran still locked in negotiations. This is despite previous swipes from US president Donald Trump at the Albanese government over its apparent lack of support for the ongoing war in the Middle East.
'Australia, when we've called Australia, in this context, they've been willing to help with whatever assets they can provide, and we're grateful for that,' Hegseth said. 'It's in keeping with how Australia has been a strong partner of ours.'
When pressed on whether the White House was still seeking assistance from Australia in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth made clear that while the US had carried the bulk of the effort, allied backing remained important.
'The bulk of the weight has been an American effort, especially on the blockade, which has been ironclad, and frankly has put the real pressure on Iran,' he said.
Hegseth pointed to wider cooperation in the Indo-Pacific as further proof of the strength of the partnership. 'I think the meetings we had on AUKUS today, and other arrangements, especially in the Pacific, show that our alliance is as strong as it's ever been,' he said.
Hegseth also praised Australia for increasing its defence spending to $53 billion, which takes defence spending to about 3 per cent of GDP by 2033, as previously requested by the US. 'Australia is stepping up,' Hegseth said. 'Together we are expanding the rotational presence of US forces and collaborating to ensure our defence industrial base builds and sustains weapons required for a high-end fight. We appreciate Australia's investment in real combat power and the commitment to integrate more deeply with the US Joint Force.'
The remarks came after a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue and a joint appearance at the AUKUS Defence Ministers' Meeting, where the US, Australia and the United Kingdom outlined the next phase of the trilateral pact. At the centre of those discussions was AUKUS, with Hegseth highlighting progress in both the submarine and advanced capabilities pillars of the agreement.
In opening remarks, he said the US was 'moving as quickly as possible to enhance our combined submarine presence in the Pacific region' and confirmed plans to establish the Submarine Rotational Force-West in Western Australia. The initiative will see US nuclear-powered submarines operate out of HMAS Stirling in WA, supported by expanded Australian infrastructure and significant local investment.
The three countries also announced the first 'signature project' under AUKUS Pillar II, focused on developing advanced uncrewed undersea vehicles and payload systems. The program is designed to accelerate delivery of cutting-edge technologies to enhance surveillance, strike and undersea warfare capabilities, marking a shift from planning to implementation.
Hegseth also sought to reassure Australia over the delivery of Virginia-class submarines, a key element of the pact that has faced questions amid US shipbuilding constraints. 'I think they can [count on the US], and that's why we did the review the way that we did, is to make sure that what we're promising is aligned with what we're able to do,' he said.
He acknowledged previous shortfalls in the US defence industrial base but said renewed investment would ensure commitments are met. 'We're laser focused on making sure it happens,' Hegseth said. 'Those subs, obviously in the hands of Australia, are important for your defence, but they also add to the combined defence of what we would need to do.'
