US bombers were given air access in the Top End as part of their mission to target Houthi forces in Yemen, the Department of Defence has confirmed.

It remains unclear what damage or how many casualties were inflicted.

However, it was revealed the Australian Government had a role in the mission, with the Department of Defence confirming contribution.

“Australia provided support for US strikes conducted on 17 October 2024 targeting Houthi facilities in Yemen, through access and overflight for US aircraft in northern Australia,” a Defence spokesperson said.

Defence maintains the bombers did not operate from any Royal Australian Air Force base, contrary to speculation online which reported RAAF Base Tindal, in Katherine, to have launched the airframes.

The Department of Defence has confirmed Australia provided support for the US strikes on underground bunkers used by Yemen's Houthi rebels "through access and overflight for USA aircraft in northern Australia".

The US said its strikes were ordered by President Joe Biden to degrade the Houthi weapons stores and send a message to "our adversaries", which includes Iran.

An Australian official said the support was "consistent with our long-standing alliance commitment and close cooperation, demonstrating the interoperability of our militaries".

"It is a clear demonstration that the US Air Force can operate B-2s from forward Australian bases to deliver precision strikes at a range that could also encompass targets in China.

As US military presence ramps up in the north, experts say one of Australia's closest Asian neighbours is growing wary that the US's expanded presence could bring rising tensions to the region.

“A lot of countries in our region, whether it’s the Pacific or South-East Asia, they are predominantly concerned about development, about economics, about nation-building — not necessarily about what a rising China means for their defence or military interests,”

Japanese troops could join US marines for regular rotations through the Top End as Tokyo, Washington and Canberra continue to deepen defence and strategic ties in the face of China's swelling military might.

Next year, Australia will participate for the first time in Orient Shield, the largest annual field training exercise between the U.S. Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Australia and Japan also plan to involve the Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, a marine unit of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, in annual training rotations of U.S. Marines in the northern Australian city of Darwin.

The ministers agreed on more engagement in training exercises involving the two air forces after F-35A Lighting II stealth fighters from both countries joined in combat training over Japan last year in Exercise Bushido Guardian

Deployments of Japanese F-35 fighter jets to northern Australia will be ramped up as part of a deepening of security ties between the two countries, while Anthony Albanese prepares to join Quad leaders for a summit in the US later this month.

Late last month, Tokyo lodged a diplomatic protest after a Chinese spy plane allegedly breached its airspace for the first time near the Danjo Islands in the East China Sea.

Shared concern by Australia and Japan over Chinese aggression prompted the signing of a landmark defence pact that came into force last year, making it easier for each country’s military to operate in the other nation.

At Thursday’s 2+2 talks, ministers are expected to expand the rotation of Japanese F-35 fighter jets for temporary basing in Australia, including joint exercises alongside US Marines in Darwin. Two Japanese jets were dispatched to Australia a year ago to test the viability of deployments.

In a strongly symbolic message, the talks will be held at Queenscliff, east of Geelong – home of the secretive Swan Island defence and spy training facility.