“Firsts” in Australia-Japan defense cooperation

Australia and Japan are likely to mobilize troops and equipment to each other's territories for joint exercises under a defense pact that came into effect on August 13.

Australia and Japan will strengthen their defense relationship through the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which will come into effect on August 13. (Source: Contact)

Defence relations between Canberra and Tokyo are set to take a step forward with the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which, as Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles affirmed on August 14, is "the first deployment agreement that Japan has signed with a country other than the United States".

Signed in January 2022, the RAA provides the legal framework for greater defence cooperation between the Australian Self-Defense Force (ADF) and the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF). The two countries will conduct training, exercises and other cooperation activities on a more complex and frequent basis.

Under the agreement, Japan will deploy its first F-35s to Australia, specifically the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base Tindal, later this month. Similar Australian fighters will then be deployed to Japan for the first time to participate in the Bushido Guardian exercise in early September.

Australia will also send more than 150 troops to Japan for the first time to take part in the Yama Sakura exercise as a full participant.

Explaining the importance of the exercises, Mr. Richard Marles affirmed that both countries “recognize the increasingly complex security situation and the need to build partnerships to maintain stability and prosperity in the region.”

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nhung-lan-dau-tien-trong-hop-tac-quoc-phong-australia-nhat-ban-238370.html