Talisman Sabre flexed coalition power in the Indo-Pacific, experts say

Talisman Sabre 2019, the monthlong, multinational military exercise led by the U.S. and Australia, demonstrated that the U.S. has allies ready to help keep order in the Indo-Pacific region.

This year’s version of Talisman Sabre, the eighth, was the biggest yet. While intended as a generic team-building exercise, it also sent a message to China that any attempt to assert dominance in the region will be met by a unified front, outside observers say.

Starting in 2005 with 11,000 U.S. and 6,000 Australian troops taking part, Talisman Sabre this year involved 34,000 troops from six countries, according to the Australian Department of Defence. Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the U.K. sent contingents to join those from the U.S. and Australia.

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