India is preparing to make its debut in Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia’s largest military exercise, scheduled for July. This significant participation is a testament to the deepening defense ties between India and Australia, which have strengthened since the inaugural India-Australia 2+2 ministerial dialogue held in September 2021.
Now entering its eleventh edition, Talisman Sabre is often termed the “Olympics of military exercises” due to its extensive scale and complexity. The biennial event is collaboratively organized by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States, bringing together thousands of military personnel from allied and partner nations. The exercise spans integrated operations across various domains, including land, air, sea, cyber, and space.
The 2023 iteration saw participation from more than 30,000 troops across 13 countries, highlighting advancements in interoperability and multinational readiness. Talisman Sabre 2025 will further expand its scope by including operations in Papua New Guinea, marking a first in the event’s history and enhancing the operational reach of the exercise.
India’s inclusion in Talisman Sabre emphasizes its increasing significance within the Indo-Pacific security architecture, aligning with its ongoing military collaborations among Quad partners—Australia, the United States, and Japan. The invitation of India reflects broader strategic efforts aimed at strengthening engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
The upcoming exercise is expected to feature extensive war games and joint operations designed to bolster regional security, cultivate military-to-military cooperation, and showcase the collective capabilities of aligned democracies in the Indo-Pacific.
