India Joins Talisman Sabre for First Time, Enhancing Indo‑Pacific Defence Cooperation

By Sulagna Halder

India is participating, for the first time, in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia’s largest and most advanced biennial military exercise. The joint drills, which commenced on 13 July, bring together around 35,000 personnel from 19 nations, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada and India.

The three week exercise spans diverse locations across northern and central Australia, as well as parts of Papua New Guinea, marking the first time the drill has extended beyond Australia’s mainland. Activities will include live fire drills, amphibious landings, air combat and maritime operations which are described as “a full on test of teamwork under pressure”.

During an opening ceremony in Sydney, Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy confirmed that the exercise is designed to enhance “military cooperation and readiness” within the region. He also remarked that China’s surveillance vessels were expected to monitor the manoeuvres, although none had arrived at the time.

India’s inclusion comes after formal invitations following the India–Australia 2+2 ministerial dialogue in September 2021, reinforcing defence ties between the two nations. Indian forces are operating alongside Quad partners and other allies in complex, multi domain exercises across land, air, sea, cyber and space.

The scope and scale of Talisman Sabre 2025 are unprecedented. For the first time, joint forces will deploy in Papua New Guinea, highlighting Australia’s expanding regional partnerships. Australia will also introduce new equipment such as HIMARS artillery systems and NASAMS surface to air missiles; special forces from 15 nations, including India, will engage in personnel recovery drills.

Deployment includes 20 naval vessels: aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines and F-35 jets. Notable assets include the USS America, USS San Diego, HNoMS Roald Amundsen, and the HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group.

India’s active participation, rather than mere observation, marks a milestone in India–Australia defence relations. It aligns with New Delhi’s evolving role in the Indo‑Pacific security architecture and complements joint initiatives like AustraHind and Tarang Shakti.

Defence analysts suggest that Talisman Sabre 2025 sends a strong strategic signal: a coalition of democracies ready to uphold regional security and interoperability amid growing global tensions. The exercise continues through 4 August, reinforcing commitments to collective readiness and cooperation in the Indo‑Pacific region.