U.S.-Australian Space Collaboration – Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, commander of the U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, played a prominent role in the Australian Space Summit held at the International Convention Center in Sydney. The summit, which aimed to address critical funding issues and unveil new opportunities for international collaboration, focused on advancing Australia’s space sector.
During the two-day event, discussions centered on space collaboration and competition in the Pacific region. Brig. Gen. Mastalir delivered a keynote address and participated in several panels that explored space capabilities and the U.S.-Australian alliance in the Indo-Pacific.
In his keynote address, Mastalir emphasized the growing importance of space in both industry and national security. He spoke on the significant role space capabilities play in supporting the global economy and responding to natural disasters. His speech set the tone for the summit, highlighting the critical need for international cooperation in space endeavors.
“Space capabilities are a critical enabler of national security,” Mastalir stated. “U.S. and allied forces rely heavily on space-based capabilities to project and employ power globally. That’s why we’re moving rapidly toward becoming more resilient and interoperable with our allies and partners as we prepare the joint force for great power competition with our focus on the Indo-Pacific.”
Brig. Gen. Mastalir’s remarks underscored the strategic importance of space operations and the necessity for a united approach among allied nations to ensure security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. His insights were further explored in a panel discussion alongside Royal Australian Air Force Maj. Gen. Gregory Novak, commander of Defence Space Command, Australian Defence Forces.
Maj. Gen. Novak echoed Mastalir’s sentiments, highlighting the longstanding and deepening relationship between the U.S. and Australia in the space domain. “There are many similarities in what we’re doing here,” Novak said. “The space domain has always been a strong part of the U.S.-Australian military-to-military relationship and our alliance. One thing that struck me over the past six months is just how much it’s deepened and broadened over that time.”
The panel discussion delved into the operational aspects of space collaboration in the Pacific region. Mastalir and Novak shared insights on how Space Force components interact with their counterparts in allied countries, providing examples of recent and planned coalition operations that benefit all participants.
Mastalir highlighted the success of Exercise Pacific Sentry, a highly integrated component-level exercise conducted last year. “It was the most integrated component-level exercise we have executed to date, with a campaign plan synchronized across the Joint Forced Space Component commanders in Australia, Hawaii, and California, and exchange officers embedded in the operational planning cells across those locations.”
He also spoke about the expansion of trilateral exercise Keen Edge, which involves collaboration between the U.S., Australia, and Japan. Mastalir noted the importance of additional multilateral exercises in the future to enhance allied interoperability and collective security.
The panel emphasized the significance of interoperability among allied forces for promoting security and stability within the region. Both commanders discussed the critical role of a rules-based international order in supporting stability in the Pacific and the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific through collaborative space efforts.
“The interests we pursue are all about assured access to space,” Novak said. “They are about promoting security and stability, and we do that through encouraging responsible behaviors and doing everything we can as a collective to invest in norms that assure that access, which is ultimately in everyone’s interest.”
The Australian Space Summit provided a platform for key stakeholders to discuss the future of space collaboration and competition in the Indo-Pacific. It highlighted the growing importance of space capabilities in national security and the global economy, as well as the need for continued international cooperation to address the challenges and opportunities in the space domain.
Brig. Gen. Mastalir’s participation in the summit underscored the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and enhancing collective security in the Indo-Pacific region. His insights and experiences, shared alongside those of Maj. Gen. Novak, provided valuable perspectives on the critical role of space operations in ensuring a secure and stable future for all nations involved.
As the global landscape continues to evolve, events like the Australian Space Summit play a crucial role in fostering dialogue and collaboration among nations. The discussions and agreements forged at such gatherings pave the way for a more secure, stable, and prosperous future in the increasingly important realm of space.
