"We are pursuing several mutually beneficial initiatives with Australia's defence industry, and these include a commitment to help Australia produce guided multiple launch rocket systems... by 2025," Austin told a press conference. Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are in Queensland state for the annual Australia-U.S. The U.S. will help Australia produce guided multiple-launch rocket systems by 2025, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday, after the two nations' top officials pledged to engage with China but also oppose it if needed. U.S Secretary of State Blinken said "chief" among Saturday's high-profile talks with Australia was a shared commitment to a free and secure Indo-Pacific region. The games, however, were put on hold after an Australian military helicopter participating in the exercises crashed into the ocean, with at least four people onboard feared dead.

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Persons: Richard Marles, Penny Wong, Antony Blinken, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Lloyd Austin, Marles, Blinken Organizations: Australian, Defense, Conference, Queensland Government House, Austin, . Ministerial, Labor, U.S, Australia, Talisman Sabre Locations: Brisbane, U.S, Australia, Queensland, China, Taiwan, Australian, Ukraine, Russia, Beijing