Germany sends troops to Australia for Talisman Saber exercise, Reuters reports.

For the first time since the end of the Second World War, the country is sending troops to Australia to participate in exercises.

This step demonstrates Berlin’s interest in resolving tensions in the Indo-Pacific region amid rising tensions with China in the region.

Up to 240 German soldiers with 170 paratroopers and 40 marines among them, will take part in the Talisman Sabre exercise from July 22 to August 4.

In recent years, Germany has had a greater military presence in this region, one-time actions of displaying the German flag should demonstrate NATO’s inclination to help close alliance partners.

“It is a region of extremely high importance for us in Germany as well as for the European Union due to the economic interdependencies,” Army Chief Alfons Mais.

China is Berlin’s most important trading partner, and 40% of Europe’s foreign trade flows through the South China Sea, a waterway that is a focal point for territorial disputes in the Indo-Pacific.

In 2021, a German frigate Bayern sailed into the South China Sea for the first time in almost 20 years.

As Militanryi previously reported, the German government approved a project to increase the military budget by €1.7 billion. The country’s defense budget for 2024 is €51.8 billion.

Germany aims to achieve a spending level of 2% of gross domestic product. This indicator is desirable among NATO countries, but has been unattainable for Germany for a long time.

The country created a special fund to modernize the military against the backdrop of the invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine. It amounts to more than €100 billion and is designed to be used within the first ten years.