Talisman Sabre was a relatively modest bilateral military exercise between the United States and Australia when it debuted in 2005 at the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area in Queensland. In the years since then, however, it has grown to 19 participating nations, with Thailand and Vietnam this year observing the maneuvers.

Lt. Gen. Joel B. Vowell, deputy commander of U.S. Army Pacific, told the Defense Writers Group that the explosive growth of the biennial exercise is a clear signal that stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region are critical for democratic countries in the region.

“That’s because of the hostile actions and behaviors, particularly the People’s Republic of China, but also the threats from Russia and North Korea and other issues that we deal with every day,” Gen. Vowell said Tuesday.

A Talisman Sabre highlight was a combined artillery fire mission by the United States, Australia and Singapore using the truck-mounted High Mobility Rocket System, HIMARS. The U.S. sent dozens of HIMARS to Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders. It is credited with helping Kyiv destroy hundreds of Russian high-value targets like command posts and arms depots.

China doesn’t have the experience to contend with dispersed land forces that can destroy targets on land as well as at sea, Gen. Vowell said.

“That’s an asymmetric advantage that the Army is developing,” he said. “Our collective readiness and signalling of what we’re doing provides what has to be inferred and interpreted as a deterrent effect.”

For years, U.S. Pacific Command officials have tasked the Army to help hold enemy warships at bay. During Talisman Sabre 25, the Army demonstrated its ability to knock out naval targets when it launched an SM-6 mid-range capability missile at a barge floating more than 100 miles from shore.

Gen. Vowell said Army anti-ship missiles can be critical to closing off maritime choke points in the region.

“It’s easier to see a ship at sea than a launcher platform in the jungle of Indonesia or the Philippines. It’s just harder to detect,” he said.

While the Indo-Pacific region is traditionally considered the Navy’s backyard, Gen. Vowell said the Army has a role to play there as a mobile, lethal, and agile fighting force.

“We’re proving that with these tests and exercises,” Gen. Vowell said.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.