The array of new tactics and weapons being tried out by the militaries of the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies in multinational drills are helping them become more interoperable than ever before as they prepare for potential emergencies.

This was particularly the case in this year¡¯s Exercise Talisman Sabre, as the drills that began July 13 and wrap up Monday saw over 80 ¡°firsts¡± in which participants either tested new systems or performed certain combined activities for the first time, the exercise¡¯s director, Australian Army Brig. Damian Hill, told The Japan Times.

Held across Australia, and for the first time overseas in Papua New Guinea, this year¡¯s iteration of the exercise was the largest ever, with six new countries ¡ª India, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand ¡ª participating for the first time.