Evolving technological capabilities are adding a complex cyber warfare component to defence operations like the joint US and Australian training exercise off Queensland, a top American general says.
The comments from the commander of the United States Army Pacific, General Robert Brown, came as Operation Talisman Sabre wound up on Tuesday.
More than 30,000 personnel from both nations took part in the three-week long, mid-intensity training exercise.
Air, land and maritime training exercises were undertaken as part of the biennial engagement off the Queensland coast, but added to the operation for the first time was cyber warfare.
Talisman Sabre's purpose was to ensure the two allies were interoperable as well as strengthening their response capacity.
General Brown said the addition of cyber warfare activities had set the operation apart from previous war games.
"I look at it as the most complex Talisman Sabre we've ever done, and we also discussed this morning that we have to keep pushing that complexity because the problems in the world are not getting easier," he said aboard the flagship American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in Brisbane.
"I wish they were getting easier but they're not."
The 333 metre long, nuclear-powered carrier docked at the Port of Brisbane on Sunday, giving its crew of thousands a chance to explore the Queensland capital.
Australian and US forces take part in the exercise every two years, with this year's engagement involving 34,000 personnel, 36 warships and over 220 aircraft.
It is the largest combined military operation undertaken in Australia and includes special forces, amphibious landings, parachuting urban operations and live fire exercises used by both nations in preparation of future missions.
This year's action, which is the seventh of its kind, appeared to draw the interest of Chinese military forces, after a spy ship was spotted "in the vicinity" of the activities.
"The Chinese vessel has remained outside Australian territorial waters but inside the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone in the Coral Sea," a defence department statement said on Saturday.
"The vessel's presence has not detracted from the exercise objectives."
Commander Joint Operations Australian Defence Force Vice Admiral David Johnston said the vessel had acted within the law.
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