US to send more troops to Australia as allies deepen defence ties

The US has confirmed it will increase troop levels in Australia as the two countries forge deeper defence ties.

The announcement came as Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with their US counterparts in Washington this morning for the annual Australia-US Ministerial talks.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said both countries have agreed to increase their defence links in "several important ways", including increased rotations of US troops and military equipment in Australia.

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"That includes rotations of bomber task forces, fighters, and future rotations of US Navy and US Army capabilities," Austin said in a media briefing.

"We will also expand our logistics and sustainment co-operation, and that will deepen our interoperability and create more agile and resilient capabilities while also continuing to find ways to further integrate our defence industrial bases in the years ahead."

US troops regularly rotate through Australia for exercises with Australian and other allied forces.

Over recent months, there have been suggestions the numbers will be lifted amid growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marles said the US pledge to increase its troop levels in Australia is a "huge step" which will "transform Australia's strategic posture".

He said the talks have brought "real steps forward" in "greater defence force posture cooperation between our two counties".

Marles and Austin also said Australia and the US will deepen defence ties with Japan by inviting Japanese forces to join military exercises in Australia.

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"These efforts just don't demonstrate the closeness of our alliances," Austin said.

"They also show the work that we're doing together to deliver tangible results toward our common vision."

On Wednesday (US time), Marles, Austin and British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will hold AUKUS talks to discuss Australia's plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

Australia is set to announce in March next year which type of vessel the Royal Australian Navy will be equipped with.

But with them not expected to enter service for at least another decade, there is concern about a naval capability gap as the existing Collins class submarines become obsolete.