Defense Minister Richard Marles, who is also deputy prime minister, told Sky News on Thursday that Australia wouldn’t be sending a “ship or a plane” to the Middle East, but would instead almost triple its troop contribution to the US-led maritime force.
“We need to be clear around our strategic focus and our strategic focus is our region,” Marles said.
The US this week announced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international maritime task force intended to protect trading vessels sailing through the Red Sea from attacks by the Yemeni army. Participating countries include the US, UK, France and Canada.
In a post to social media website X on Thursday, Marles said Australia would contribute an additional six Australian Defence Force personnel.
The US is Australia’s closest defense partner, a relationship even further strengthened in 2021 by the Aukus security agreement that will deliver Canberra a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
SD/PR