ally / AUKUS framing
By lens · 1 takes across the edition
Australian Department of Defence · Australia · RIMPAC 2026 opens with 31 nations and 25,000 personnel as Pacific security competition intensifies
Canberra positions its RIMPAC 2026 contingent explicitly in the context of the AUKUS partnership, citing increasing interoperability with US and UK forces ahead of the Virginia-class submarine transfer. The release emphasises Australian vessels joining multinational anti-submarine and amphibious operations.
“Australia's participation in RIMPAC 26 underscores our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific under the AUKUS partnership.”