On May 30, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Australia Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles met on the margins of the Shangri-la Dialogue. The two leaders discussed efforts to strengthen and advance the alliance.
Secretary Hegseth and Deputy Prime Minister Marles agreed to prioritize and accelerate infrastructure projects at Australian bases to support enhanced U.S. force posture. The principals discussed the completion of additional maintenance, storage, and distribution facilities to improve combined logistics for U.S. and Australian forces.
The two leaders also discussed opportunities to enhance military and technological collaboration through increased Australian investment in advanced capabilities and infrastructure to meet shared priorities.
During the meeting, both leaders highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the trilateral AUKUS security partnership and the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise. Secretary Hegseth emphasized the need to accelerate delivery of next-generation capabilities and deepen defense industrial base cooperation between the two countries.