Thailand is set to join military exercise “Talisman Sabre” for the first time, scheduled for mid-July, aimed at strengthening defence cooperation, Admiral David Johnston, chief of the Australian Defence Force, has said.
Thailand joined the exercise as an observer in 2023.
The Sabre, the largest bilateral combined training activity, between the Australian Defence Force and the United States military, is the largest military exercise ever held in Australia. This year it will be held from July 13 to August 4.
Thailand’s participation will enhance cooperation across various areas of training, such as cyber operations and counter-terrorism, Johnston said during a recent visit to Thailand.
"Talisman Sabre marks a very important development for both countries, as Thai forces will join in a range of training activities, including maritime exercises… We will build collective strength, developing strategies together to deal with new threats, such as those in the cyber environment," he said.
Admiral David Johnston, chief of the Australian Defence Force
Other participating partner nations this year also include Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Tonga and the United Kingdom.
Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam will attend as observers.
The Admiral spoke about the drill at Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi province, where the Australian and New Zealand embassies hosted the ANZAC Day service, marking the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Jonathan Kings, the New Zealand ambassador, fourth from left, Angela Macdonald, the Australian ambassador, fifth from left, Admiral David Johnston, chief of the Australian Defense Force (in white), and military representatives from New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand after laying wreaths to honour the fallen at the memorial site during the dawn service on Friday.//Photo: Australian Embassy Thailand
With over a thousand participants attending the solemn dawn service, the event commemorated the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died during the construction of the Thailand-Burma railway under Japanese forces at Hellfire Pass during World War II, more commonly known as “The Death Railway”.
The Admiral also emphasised that Australia will cooperate with regional partners to maintain peace and stability in maritime security, in response to Chinese warships and vessels navigating close to Australia’s maritime territory.
“It is significant that Australia continues to engage with regional partners and monitor the growing military capabilities in the region. In circumstances where our allies need to defend each other, however, Australia is ready and able to work together, where it is in our collective national interest to do so,” he noted.
The admiral also emphasised that partnering with ASEAN is central to Australia’s strategy, highlighting that shared interests and cooperation among ASEAN defence ministers increase the chances of achieving regional peace and stability.
By Franc Han Shih, Thai PBS World
