US Troop Expansion Needed to Avoid ‘Catastrophic Failure’ in Indo-Pacific: Defence Minister

U.S. and Australian special operations forces (SOF) conduct a high-altitude low-opening (HALO) parachute jump from a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan of the 35 Squadron during Talisman Sabre in Queensland, Australia, July 17, 2019. Talisman Sabre is a bilateral exercise that tests the two forces combat training, readiness and interoperability. U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Nicole Rogge

Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned that the U.S.-Australia alliance will need to step up its efforts to counteract Beijing in an increasingly “challenging strategic environment.”

The Australian deputy prime minister made the comments in a speech to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C. during a four-day trip to the United States.