US backs Australia helicopter sale plan

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of military helicopters and related equipment to Australia for an estimated cost of $2.8 billion, the Pentagon says, as Australia seeks to boost its military presence in the Pacific.

Australia had requested to buy 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and the principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corp, the Pentagon said.

Australia has been boosting its defence spending over the past few years as China looks to step up its presence in the region.

The Black Hawks form part of a review into the defence force's posture, Defence Minister Richard Marles says as Australia looks to plug any capability gaps.

"We are continuing to evolve our capabilities and that means those immediate questions are still being worked through and considered and this is one of those processes that are underway," Mr Marles told reporters in Darwin on Friday.

"The Black Hawks form a part of that."

The review is being headed by former defence minister Stephen Smith and former defence force chief Angus Houston and will be handed to government in March 2023.

Mr Marles made the comments from the Royal Australian Air Force base in Darwin, where Exercise Pitch Black in taking place.

The exercise brought 2500 personnel and around 100 aircraft to the Top End, including from Germany, Japan and South Korea for the first time.

China wasn't invited to participate in this year's exercise and Mr Marles wouldn't speculate if Beijing would be invited to future exercises given the increased hostility.

"What we are seeking to do with Pitch Black this year is, first and foremost, build Australia's airforce capabilities, to demonstrate it, (and) to build those relationships with partners in the region," he said.

"What is important is we are able to build an ... operational relationship with Korea and Japan," he added when asked about what message the exercise sent to China.

Last year, Australia entered into a deal to buy nuclear submarines from the United States and the United Kingdom.

The sale also comes as governments around the world are watching Russia's invasion of Ukraine and grow more willing to invest in weapons systems.

In May, the US State Department approved the sale of mobile rocket launchers to Australia, along with several weapons sales worth as much as $4.46 billion to allies.

Approval by the US State Department at this point virtually ensures the sales will go through.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale.

with Reuters