US and Australia Bolster Defense and Industrial Ties at 40th AUSMIN in Washington

40th AUSMIN Convenes in Washington

The United States and Australia held their 40th annual Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) on December 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C., marking four decades of strategic dialogue between the two allies. The discussions centered on deepening cooperation in defense and strengthening their respective industrial bases to address evolving regional and global security challenges.

Key officials attending included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who hosted their Australian counterparts, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong.

Enhanced Defense Cooperation and Force Posture

A significant outcome of the consultations was the commitment to enhance defense cooperation and force posture initiatives. This includes substantial upgrades to infrastructure on Australian airbases in Queensland and the Northern Territory to facilitate additional U.S. bomber rotations. Furthermore, logistics and infrastructure in Darwin will be improved to support increased rotational deployments of U.S. Marines and the pre-positioning of MV-22 Ospreys.

To streamline the growing U.S. military presence, an Oversight and Support Group will be established in Australia. The allies also reaffirmed their commitment to establishing Submarine Rotational Force-West as early as 2027, alongside regular visits and maintenance of U.S. nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs) at HMAS Stirling.

Strengthening the Industrial Base and AUKUS

The consultations underscored the commitment to strengthening the defense industrial base, particularly through the AUKUS security pact. Australia pledged an additional $1 billion to expand U.S. submarine production capacity, bringing its total investment to $2 billion. Secretary Hegseth noted, 'We're strengthening AUKUS so that it works for America, for Australia and for the U.K.'

Cooperation on guided weapons production and lethal capabilities was a central theme, with a two-year roadmap endorsed for Australia's Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. This includes co-production and co-sustainment efforts for:

• Hypersonic attack cruise missiles
• Air-to-air missiles
• Mark 54 torpedoes

Critical Minerals and Regional Security

Discussions also focused on the crucial role of critical minerals and rare earths in both nations' commercial and defense industries. Building on a framework signed in October between President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the allies are deepening cooperation in this sector. Progress was noted in Alcoa's efforts towards gallium production by 2026 to diversify critical supply chains.

Both nations committed to expanded cooperation for a 'free and open Indo-Pacific,' including initiatives to strengthen regional stability and coordinate critical infrastructure investments across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. This includes Australia's involvement in the Luzon Economic Corridor alongside the U.S., Philippines, and Japan. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State plans to invest over $10 million, and Australia up to AUD $10 million, in cyber coordination and capacity building in the region.