Australia’s defense capabilities and its alliance with the United States have once again come to the fore, with Canberra confirming its role in facilitating a crucial US airstrike against Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen. This development not only underscores Australia’s strategic importance in global security but also highlights the growing defense collaboration between Australia and its Western allies in countering threats in the Middle East and beyond.
The airstrike, conducted on October 16, marked the first operational deployment of B-2 stealth bombers against the Houthi rebel group. The Houthis, a militia aligned with Iran, have been at the center of Yemen’s protracted civil war, and their activities pose significant security concerns for the Middle East, particularly with respect to the Red Sea’s maritime trade routes. The Red Sea serves as a vital artery for global commerce, connecting Europe to Asia, and any disruption could have severe repercussions on international trade.
The US military targeted five underground weapons storage facilities located in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, which were considered integral to the group’s military operations. These strikes were part of a broader effort to neutralize assets that could threaten global trade routes and the safety of mariners. The US Air Force confirmed that the mission had been a success, although the full impact of the strikes remains to be seen as damage assessments are still underway.
Australia’s defense officials confirmed that while the B-2 stealth bombers did not operate directly from Australian bases, the country provided critical support through “access and overflight” for US aircraft in northern Australia. According to defense sources, air-to-air refueling operations were likely conducted to ensure the successful completion of the mission.
This facilitation is part of a long-standing alliance between Australia and the US, which has only deepened in recent years, especially through the AUKUS defense pact, a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The cooperation on this mission demonstrates the high level of interoperability between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the US military.
In a statement, Australian officials emphasized the country’s commitment to working alongside its partners to deter actions that could threaten global and regional stability. This partnership, they argue, is fundamental not only for Australia’s security but also for maintaining the international rules-based order.
The B-2 deployment is a significant event not just for the ongoing conflict in Yemen but for the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. The Houthis, who are closely aligned with Iran, have been central to Tehran’s efforts to project influence in the region. By targeting Houthi military assets, the US is sending a clear signal to Iran about the risks of supporting non-state actors that engage in destabilizing activities.
Experts believe that the use of B-2 bombers—highly sophisticated aircraft designed for stealth missions—also sends a symbolic message of deterrence to Tehran. This strike showcases US military power and its ability to carry out precision operations across vast distances, demonstrating that Iranian-supported groups are not beyond the reach of American airpower. The operation is seen as part of a broader effort to contain Iranian influence, particularly in the strategic waterways of the Middle East, such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Australia’s involvement in supporting these strikes is consistent with its strategic positioning as a key ally of the US in the Indo-Pacific region. In recent years, Darwin and other northern Australian bases have become increasingly important as staging grounds for US military operations, both in the Indo-Pacific and in wider global operations.
Darwin MP Luke Gosling, who serves as the federal government’s special envoy for defense, spoke to the growing cooperation between Australian and US forces, particularly in northern Australia. Gosling stressed that Australia’s actions align with maintaining a rules-based international order, and that this cooperation is not aimed at sending overt political signals but rather at protecting global security.
However, there is no denying the strategic implications of this collaboration. As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with China’s increasing assertiveness, the ability to project power from northern Australia enhances the US’s military posture in the region. Gosling himself noted that while the focus of this particular operation was on the Middle East, Australia’s broader role in supporting US forces is also relevant to the Indo-Pacific dynamics.
Australia’s support for the recent US-led airstrike also highlights the importance of the AUKUS alliance, which has emerged as a cornerstone of Australia’s defense strategy. The pact, signed in 2021, is aimed at enhancing Australia’s military capabilities, with the most prominent feature being the eventual acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines from the US.
AUKUS signifies a major shift in Australia’s defense policy, positioning the country as a key player in regional security, particularly in countering growing Chinese influence in the South China Sea. The increased focus on military infrastructure in northern Australia is a direct result of this enhanced partnership. RAAF Bases in Tindal and Darwin have been earmarked for significant upgrades to accommodate US bombers and refueling aircraft, with US defense funding playing a major role in this development.
RAAF Base Tindal, in particular, has already seen substantial investment and upgrades, with plans to further bolster its capacity to serve as a base for US operations. This base is seen as a critical asset in the broader US strategy of redistributing forces throughout the Indo-Pacific to reduce vulnerabilities and improve resilience.
The increased US military presence in northern Australia is a reflection of the region’s growing strategic importance. In 2023, the US announced plans for more frequent deployments of bomber aircraft to Australia, citing concerns about China’s “dangerous and escalatory behavior” in the region. Just two months prior to the Yemen strike, in August 2024, the US deployed three B-2 stealth bombers to RAAF Base Amberley as part of its Bomber Task Force operations.
This marked the first B-2 deployment to Australia since 2022, when US bombers participated in joint exercises with Australian F-35A aircraft. These deployments and exercises underscore the deepening military ties between the two countries, as well as the importance of Australia as a forward-operating base for US airpower in the Indo-Pacific.
In addition to bombers, the US military has been investing in jet fuel reserves and other infrastructure in northern Australia to support operations across the region. These investments are seen as part of a broader effort to enhance the US’s ability to project power, particularly in light of growing concerns about China’s military expansion in the South China Sea.
Australia’s role in supporting US airstrikes in Yemen reflects its commitment to global security and its readiness to assist its allies in countering threats that emerge far from its shores. This mission demonstrates Australia’s growing influence in global military operations and underscores the critical importance of its northern air bases for US and allied operations.
At the same time, Australia’s involvement in such operations could be seen as a signal of its willingness to take on greater responsibilities in maintaining regional and global stability. The deepening defense relationship with the US, as exemplified by AUKUS and the frequent presence of US forces on Australian soil, positions Australia as a pivotal player in both Middle Eastern and Indo-Pacific security.
The timing of these developments also suggests that Australia, like many of its Western allies, is acutely aware of the need to balance its security concerns with maintaining open and secure trade routes. Given Australia’s heavy reliance on global trade, particularly maritime trade, it has a vested interest in ensuring that key waterways like the Red Sea and South China Sea remain safe for international shipping.
Australia’s facilitation of the US airstrike on Houthi weapons storage sites in Yemen highlights its crucial role in global military operations and reflects its enduring partnership with the United States. This mission, while focused on neutralizing threats to global maritime trade routes in the Middle East, also speaks to the broader implications of Australia’s strategic positioning in the Indo-Pacific.
