Establishment of Networked Defense System: Japan, US, and Australia Collaborate

President Joe Biden declared at the White House on Wednesday that Japan, the United States, and Australia will establish a comprehensive network of air, missile, and defence infrastructure, marking the first instance of such collaboration.

Closer military ties between the three countries are being established as a means of deterring China. The partnership was announced during a joint press conference between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Kishida at the White House in Washington.

“I’m also pleased to announce that for the first time, Japan and the United States and Australia will create a networked system of air, missile, and defense architecture.  We’re also looking forward to standing up a trilateral military exercise with Japan and the United Kingdom.” Biden said.

He added Our AUKUS defense partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom is exploring how Japan can join our work in the second pillar, which focuses on advanced capabilities, including AI, autonomous systems.  All told, that represents a new benchmark for our military cooperation across a range of capabilities.

While, Under pillar 2 of the Aukus deal, Australia chose to collaborate with Japan, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended that choice.

Nothing is free like a free press. Give now to help sustain independent journalism in your community.

It's evident from recent events that there has never been a better moment to support local news. Donate now to help sustain independent reporting.

Speaking on the Today show, Albanese said “Well, what we have done, when I was in Japan last year, was upgrade our security relationship with Japan. This is a deal between Australia, Japan and the United States to enhance our capability. We want to cooperate with countries in the region, and in particular Japan, of course, is an advanced technology nation and the US is our closest ally.”

He added, “Well, it's about increasing our defence capability and that's in Australia's national interest. And we've said with China that we'll cooperate where we can, we'll disagree where we must, but we will always engage in a constructive manner and that's what we're continuing to do and we’ve seen the product of that constructive engagement.

“Well, we're engaging constructively. This is about our national defence and all nations have a right to ensure that their defence capability is maximised. That's precisely what Australia is doing.” He disclosed.

Mr. Alabanese responded to US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell's bold claim last week that Australia's AUKUS submarines could be used to battle China in a future conflict over Taiwan in a 4CA radio interview.

“Well, we want to make sure that there's peace in the region and we support the status quo in the region. But one way that you ensure that there is peace is by having a strong defence, and we make sure that that is occurring. That's why we've made some difficult decisions about our defence forces. But we're making the right decisions in Australia's national interests, making sure that we have an increase in our capability. But as I said as well, investing in our relationships. You know, we've restored our relationship with our Pacific neighbours. “ He said.

He also added, “We've engaged with ASEAN where I hosted all of the ASEAN leaders in Melbourne just last month. A very successful forum and meeting that we had as well. I've invited, and had indeed the President of the Philippines, President Marcos, and Prime Minister Marape of Papua New Guinea to address our national parliament. Now that's something that is a first time for both of those nations. It shows that we're looking towards our region, towards our neighbours as well, building those relationships up that are so important.”

Any news tip ?

Contact our editor via Proton Mail encrypted, X Direct Message, LinkedIn, or email. You can securely message him on Signal by using his username, Miko Santos.