Exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17) will incorporate land-based, air and maritime activities conducted at various locations within the Northern Territory, Queensland and the Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas. Field-based TS17 activities will primarily take place at Mount Bundey Training Area, Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Townsville Field Training Area, Halifax Bay Training Area and Cowley Beach Training Area. An amphibious landing component will also be carried out on public and private land at Stanage Bay, Upstart Bay and Kings Beach near Bowen. Sea-based TS17 activities will be conducted in the Coral, Timor and Arafura Seas.
The scale and intensity of TS17 will be similar to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 (TS15) and previous exercises in the Talisman Saber series. TS17 will host a similar number of personnel and equipment compared to past Talisman Sabre exercises. It will also involve similar activities, although changes in Exercise scenarios mean that some activities may change locations compared to previous years. For example, for TS17 there will be a reduced presence in the Northern Territory and an increased presence in Queensland compared to TS15 and maritime exercises will primarily be held in the Coral Sea rather than the Timor and Arafura Seas.
