Defence Minister Richard Marles Declares US Alone Cannot Guarantee Australia’s Security at ASEAN Forum
*This article generated using Gemini AI based on numerous aggregated News sources
SINGAPORE – June 1, 2025 – Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, delivered a stark message at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this weekend, asserting that the United States alone cannot guarantee Australia’s security in an increasingly complex Indo-Pacific region.
Addressing a gathering of defense ministers, military chiefs, and security experts from across the globe, Marles underscored the need for Australia to enhance its own strategic autonomy and capabilities, while also deepening partnerships with regional nations, particularly within ASEAN.
While reaffirming the enduring strength and importance of the Australia-US alliance, Marles emphasized that Australia must build its own capacity to protect its interests and contribute to regional stability. This comes amidst a significant military build-up in the Indo-Pacific, which Marles explicitly linked to China’s “extraordinary” military expansion, calling for greater transparency from Beijing regarding its strategic intent.
“What we have seen from China is the single biggest increase in military capability and build up in conventional sense, by any country since the end of the Second World War,” Marles stated. He stressed that the concern was not just the size of the build-up, but the lack of “strategic reassurance” and clear intent from China.
Marles highlighted Australia’s own approach to defense, where public national defense strategies and reviews provide “total strategic clarity and assurance” to its neighbors and the world. He urged China to adopt a similar level of transparency.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s remarks are consistent with Australia’s recently released 2024 National Defence Strategy, which prioritizes a “strategy of denial” and emphasizes strengthening Australia’s own military capabilities to deter aggression. The strategy acknowledges the fundamental role of the US alliance but also signals a broader approach to security that includes enhanced self-reliance and expanded cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners.
Australia is significantly increasing its defense spending, with substantial investments in naval modernization and long-range strike capabilities, including through the AUKUS pact with the US and UK for nuclear-powered submarines. Marles reiterated that Australia is “up for it” when it comes to increasing defence spending, aligning with calls from figures like US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for Indo-Pacific partners to bolster their own defense outlays.
Marles stressed the importance of collective security and the global rules-based order, a theme echoed by many at the Shangri-La Dialogue. He underlined Australia’s commitment to working with ASEAN at its core, as well as strengthening ties with countries like Japan, India, and the Philippines, to reinforce deterrence and stability in the region.
The statement by Richard Marles signifies a mature and pragmatic evolution in Australia’s defense thinking, recognizing that while alliances remain crucial, a truly secure future demands a multi-faceted approach centered on national capability and robust regional partnerships.
