In a significant move highlighting Germany’s increased focus on the Indo-Pacific region, the country will deploy troops to Australia for the first time. The joint drills, involving around 30,000 service members from 12 nations, come as tensions with China rise in the area. Up to 240 German soldiers, including paratroopers and marines, will participate in the Talisman Sabre exercise, the largest drills held biannually between Australia and the United States.
Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, the army chief, emphasized the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region for Germany and the European Union due to economic interdependencies. The aim of the deployment is to demonstrate Germany’s reliability and capability as a partner in stabilizing the rules-based order in the region, without seeking to antagonize any specific country, including China.
The German troops will engage in jungle warfare and landing operations alongside soldiers from countries such as Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, France, and Britain. The decision to participate in these joint exercises reflects Germany’s recognition that security challenges today are less straightforward than during the Cold War era, necessitating a broader global positioning beyond Europe.
Germany’s increased focus on the Indo-Pacific aligns with its significant economic ties to China, its most important trading partner. With 40% of Europe’s foreign trade flowing through the South China Sea, which is at the center of territorial disputes, Berlin faces the delicate task of balancing security concerns and economic interests in the region.
This deployment follows Germany’s previous military engagements in the Indo-Pacific, including the sailing of a warship in the South China Sea for the first time in nearly two decades in 2021. Additionally, the German Air Force conducted its largest peacetime deployment, involving 13 military aircraft, in joint exercises in Australia last year.
Lieutenant General Mais plans to visit the German troops in Australia and engage in bilateral military cooperation discussions with partners like Japan and Singapore. He acknowledges Japan as a partner with significant potential for deepening military cooperation.
The Talisman Sabre exercise serves as a testament to Germany’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Looking ahead, the German troops have already received orders to return to Australia for the next exercise in 2025. As Berlin expands its military presence in the region, it seeks to contribute to the stabilization of the rules-based order and gain a broader understanding of the perspectives of other countries.
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