Australia’s defence minister affirmed on Saturday that the country’s alliance with the United States is “never been as relevant” and “never been better”.

In Kuala Lumpur, during a regional summit of Southeast Asian defence chiefs, Defence Minister Richard Marles addressed visiting U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, emphasising Australia’s gratitude for the U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific and highlighting the partnership’s role in upholding the rules-based international order.

Marles stated that much remains to be discussed regarding U.S. force posture in Australia, pointing to the “deep way in which our defence forces are embedded”.

In response, Hegseth praised Australia as one of the United States’ “best and closest allies” and reiterated that “peace through strength means working with our best and closest allies”.

The dialogue took place amid heightened regional strategic tension, including concerns over China’s military build-up and maritime activity in the South China Sea.

Australia has committed to major defence modernization efforts and is working closely with the U.S. on the AUKUS security arrangement and force-posture initiatives on its soil.

While the remarks conveyed strong bilateral unity, they also underscored Australia’s dual task: deepening its alliance with Washington while pursuing independent defence and strategic capability.

Observers note that as Australia hosts more advanced U.S. assets and integrates more closely into U.S. regional plans, Canberra is signalling it views the alliance as a foundation for its place in the Indo-Pacific.

The visit reinforces that the U.S.–Australia alliance remains central to both nations’ strategic outlooks at a time of shifting global balances, and that the two governments are intent on projecting cohesion and readiness for the security challenges ahead.