Mr Austin also reassured Mr Marles that Australia would still receive Virginia-class submarines from the US under the AUKUS pact, despite growing resistance among US congressional Republicans.
On Thursday (Friday AEST), 23 Republican senators – almost half the caucus – signed a letter stating that while they supported AUKUS, they remained concerned over the transfer without replacing them in the US fleet.
“This plan, if implemented without change, would unacceptably weaken the US fleet even as China seeks to expand its military power and influence,” the letter said.
“This is a risk we should not take.”
The signatories – which include the party’s Senate leader Mitch McConnell, former presidential nominee Mitt Romney and high-profile conservative Ted Cruz – urged the White House to invest more in the US industrial base to double the rate of production from an average of 1.2 submarines a year to 2.3 to 2.5 submarines a year to avoid shrinking the size of the US fleet.
Despite the congressional wrangling, Mr Marles said he remained confident Australia would be able to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US.
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“We understand processes in the Congress and indeed parliaments around the world carry with them a whole lot of colour and movement,” he said.
“We’re not worried about that.”
As part of the Defence Strategic Review, the government set aside $4.1 billion to acquire long-range strike missiles, including $2.5 billion to establish local manufacturing.
Washington has agreed to fast-track the licensing of their intellectual property to make missiles in Australia, with production expected to begin in 2025.
“Coming out of AUSMIN is a significant commitment to see a joint collective effort in terms of the development of missile manufacture with facilities in Australia,” Mr Marles said.
“This is really important for the industrial base of both of our countries. It will be very important in ensuring Australia has the necessary war stocks in the future.”
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Mr Austin singled out American support for domestic missile production during his public opening remarks at his meeting with Mr Marles. Signalling the tenure of talks, Mr Austin also referred to “bullying behaviour” by China, before they went behind closed doors.
Senator Wong and Mr Blinken held a separate bilateral meeting. Senator Wong praised Mr Blinken for stepping up US engagement in the region.
Mr Blinken said the US had no greater friend, partner and ally than Australia.
“And I don’t think that alliance or partnership has ever been stronger,” he said.
“And it makes such a huge difference to have close friends, close partners as we tackle the challenges that we both face around the world.”
Ahead of the formal AUSMIN talks, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted the ministers and secretaries, Ambassador Kevin Rudd and US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy for an intimate lunch.
“The relationship between Australia and the United States has never been stronger. It comes at a time of strategic competition in our region. Australia and the United States are working together to promote security, stability and prosperity in our region,” Mr Albanese.

This data comes from MediaIntel.Asia's Media Intelligence and Media Monitoring Platform.