Two news pieces demonstrate Australia's growing ability to fight alongside America in the South China Sea.
One is the development of Australian amphibious warfare capabilities:
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is nearing full operational capability of its amphibious force, after a six-year effort to turn an Army battalion into the heart of a joint-service expeditionary capability akin to the U.S. Marine Corps.
A three-ship amphibious ready group will deploy 2 RAR on such missions.
The growing American Marine presence around Darwin, where we are building up toward a full Marine Expeditionary Unit rotation there, will allow the two battalion-sized forces to train together for joint operations.
In other news, Australia is buying Small Diameter Bombs which have precision and penetration capability--all while fitting into the bay of the F-35 that Australia is buying:
Australia has received U.S. State Department approval to purchase GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb Increment II weapons from the United States.
Australia seeks up to 3,900 bombs with this deal.
In addition to being used by Australian F-35s, the SDBs would be a stockpile that could also be used by Marine F-35s deploying to Australia until American supply lines reach Australia with more bombs.
This joint capability will be useful if America and Australia need to fight for the small islands in the South China Sea that China hopes will cement their illegal claims to virtually the entire sea being bolstered by captured or built artificial island bases.
People can easily forget that Australia has been a solid ally, fighting with us in our wars--including Vietnam--since World War II.
