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Exercise Talisman Sabre will take place in Papua New Guinea for the first time, following a recent announcement from PNG and Australian officials this week.
The largest bilateral training activity between the Australian Defence Force, United States military and other international defence forces is usually held at designated ADF training facilities, primarily throughout Queensland, and in adjacent maritime and airspace areas of the Coral Sea.
Parts of the exercise are held at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and Townsville Field Training Area.
PNG Minister for Defence, Dr Billy Joseph, speaking at a press conference in Brisbane on February 20, confirmed that the exercise would be coming to PNG.
"Talisman Sabre is an exercise that conducted in Australian territory for as long as it was conducted, we have another defence cooperation program, PNGDF and ADF has had many trainings and programs that we have run together, but Talisman Sabre has never run in another foreign country," he said.
"With the context of the discussion that we're having with regards to the (defence) treaty, and with the 50th anniversary coming on, we want to thank Richard Marles and the Australian Government for the first time, bringing Talisman Sabre to PNG. And part of the program, of the exercise which will be conducted on PNG soil.
"It will be happening towards July, and that will be towards the 50th anniversary celebration of our people and my country would be really happy and appreciative of the effort that Australia has shown to demonstrate the defence capability that you have in our country."
Officials did not confirm which parts of the exercised would be held in PNG, however the region does potentially offer significant interest in regards to jungle warfare style training or amphibious beach landing training.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles also confirmed the change.
"Talisman Sabre is the most significant exercise that the Australian Defence Force engages in every second year, and this is a Talisman Sabre year," he said.
"It is shaping up to be a big a Talisman Sabre as we have ever conducted. But this will be the first time that we are taking Talisman Sabre to Papua New Guinea, to another country, and it will see Australian and Papua New Guinean servicemen and women operating next to each other in this exercise, and it will see our assets being engaged with each other.
"This will be an element of Talisman Sabre which actually happens in Papua New Guinea. And so in the history of that exercise, which we principally do with the United States, but does involve now a number of other countries, this is a very significant step forward."
