Charles E. Summers Jr., Principle Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs provided the following readout:
On April 13, Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan hosted Australian Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne for a bilateral meeting to discuss our robust defense relationship as well as the common strategic challenges we face.
Secretary Shanahan highlighted the National Defense Strategy and the Department's commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders discussed our shared objectives and opportunities to strengthen defense industry cooperation.
Secretary Shanahan and Minister Pyne also discussed our preexisting cooperative defense programs and our shared history of cooperation, not only in the region, but around the world.
The leaders reflected on our strong alliance and 100 years of “Mateship” and standing shoulder to shoulder during every major conflict since World War I.