Cooperation in Australia

While the soldiers of the German Army's 26th Parachute Regiment are at the center of the exercise at Talisman Sabre 2025, German participation goes far beyond this core element. The exercise also serves as a platform for experts to learn from international partners and deepen cooperation. The integration of additional Bundeswehr forces, including specialized fire support teams, medical personnel, military police, logisticians, and an A400M transport aircraft, emphasizes the strategic orientation, which goes beyond demonstrating operational readiness. This integration of specialists enables the further development of capabilities essential for national and alliance defence, including interoperability.

Here are practical examples:

The German Joint Fire Support Teams are training Joint Tactical Fire Support on Townshend Island with partners such as Australia, the USA, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. The most demanding part of the exercise is night firing: using infrared target designators and night vision devices, targets are marked, which can then be precisely engaged by US Marine Corps helicopter crews. Cooperation with other nations is based on an understanding of joint operations and the standardization of procedures. The ability to read targets across different national systems and transmit them for fire support strengthens joint defence capabilities. The practical experience is of great value for the development of future joint guidelines and ensures that allied forces can operate together.

The 413th Infantry Battalion is scheduled to be one of the Army's first units to be equipped with the heavy infantry weapon carrier starting in 2026. Three experts from the Infantry Battalion met and observed Australian reconnaissance troops from the 14th Light Horse Regiment and their Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV Boxer) during Talisman Sabre. "We are particularly interested in the Australians' operational principles and their experiences since its introduction in 2022," explains Captain Felix N. In addition to operational principles, the observers will also analyze the organization, self-protection, missions, performance, and external influences such as dust in the Australian environment. A key difference between the Australian and German versions of the vehicle will be the use of the rear combat compartment: The Australian CRV Boxer transports up to four soldiers, while the heavy infantry weapons carrier will receive an ammunition module that allows it to carry significantly more ammunition. There is mutual interest in the exchange for Talisman Sabre 2025, particularly since the 413th Infantry Battalion already has experiences with the MELLS guided missile system, which will also be used in the Australian Boxer in the future.

The deployment of the airborne transloading forces of the 26th Parachute Regiment and the Air Force's A400M during Talisman Sabre 2025 emphasizes Germany's strategic airlift capability for the rapid deployment of personnel and materiel. With its 340 m³ cargo space and 37-ton payload, the A400M is ideally suited for the rapid, global deployment and integration of key weapon systems. One example was the demonstration of the deployment of the US Army's HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) using the A400M. This process aims to rapidly consolidate military forces and assets into a combat unit. Consolidating military forces and assets is of fundamental importance for the Bundeswehr's logistics forces. This example also demonstrated the interoperability of the Alliance partners in the Indo-Pacific region.