Def. Sec. Austin meets with Australian counterpart

US Defense Secretary Austin welcomed Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles to the Pentagon. Austin and Marles did not discuss the surveillance satellite in their meeting as it was over the heartland of central U.S. states, and was expected to be in U.S. airspace for several days.

The meeting between Austin and his Australian counterpart was held to affirm their commitment to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, including with respect to operations, force posture, and defense technology collaboration. The leaders highlighted their continued strengthened ties for Indo - Pacific security, stability and prosperity.