Chinese warships have watched from the sea as Australia has undertaken its largest military training exercise ever.
They've joined forces with 13 nations, including New Zealand.
It's an explosive assault of firepower - and missile warfare where you least expect it.
Across the Tasman on Queensland's coastline, soldiers repel an enemy attack from land and sea. Their rockets are able to precisely reach their target 300 kilometres away in minutes.
But it was all just practice to help them know what to do if it were real.
In one of the largest military drills in history, more than 30,000 troops from 13 nations have united in what's known as Talisman Sabre.
The United States, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Malaysia were among the countries taking part, as was New Zealand.
"It's the first opportunity in a few years to practice high-level warfighting," said Lieutenant Ben Shaw, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) inventory officer.
Three hundred troops from NZDF from land, air, and sea are taking part in the war games.
"To join our partners here in Australia and exercise to this degree is something we cannot replicate back in New Zealand," said Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand.
This mock assault is the biggest training exercise ever held in Australia and it couldn't be taking place at a more tense time for the Indo-Pacific, with the rising tension between China and the United States and its allies, including Australia.
"It's important that we're close to our partners at any time. Our responsibility is to be ready for anything," Gilmour said.
It makes this training more than just a drill, but a real show of force and unity to those who are watching.
