Up to 16,000 US Marines could be stationed in Australia’s Top End by 2025 under a radical new defence plan.
A report by two think tanks has called for the US military presence in Darwin to be reinforced by up to 16,000 marines as one of the cheapest and quickest ways for Australia to deter potential enemies.
Currently, 2,500 Marines are stationed at Palmerston’s Robertson Barracks on a rotational basis and are supported by a large fleet of US military vehicles and other equipment.
The report on National Security and Defence of Northern Australia, produced by the Australian Institute for Public Affairs and Strategic Analysis, argues that Australia faces a “worsening strategic outlook” and does not have the “luxury” of planning 10 years ahead.
“To be blunt, an increased US Marine Corps presence in northern Australia offers the cheapest boost to deterrence Australia could buy,” says the report by former defence official Peter Jennings and strategy expert Michael Shoebridge.
‘This approach complements the US military strategy of dispersal across the Indo-Pacific and would substantially increase the ability of the United States and Australia to train and fight with the armed forces of neighboring countries.’
The report argued that the United States could increase its forces quickly.
“If agreed, this increased presence of the US Marine Corps should take place during the next government period, that is, between 2025 and 2028,” the report said.
A panel of experts is calling for up to 16,000 US Marines to be deployed to Darwin (pictured: US Marines at the ADF’s Robertson Barracks in Palmerston, Northern Territory)
We know the Marines have the ability to move at high speed; the challenge for Australia will be to keep up.
The additional Marines would come with considerable weaponry and vehicles, the report says, and would complement the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade stationed in Darwin.
However, the report noted that Robertson Barracks could not accommodate more than 20,000 troops and that additional housing would need to be built quickly.
“We acknowledge that recent governments have initiated this process, but we only underline that more needs to be done and done more quickly,” he said.
“The government needs to start a discussion with the private sector on how best to accelerate and expand this exercise.”
Other recommendations the report makes for bolstering Australia’s defences include rapidly acquiring the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and establishing a stronger ADF presence and supporting infrastructure in northern Australia and the main islands.
The report admits that housing the additional troops would require rapid infrastructure build-out (pictured: US Marines arriving at RAAF base in Darwin in 2022)
In terms of strengthening alliances, he called for Japan to join ANZUS and work towards a closer defence relationship with India, as well as develop a Pacific Response Force with Pacific Island neighbors.
“Australia faces its most challenging security environment since World War II, but the country is dramatically underprepared for the possibility of conflict in the Indo-Pacific,” said Institute of Public Affairs executive director Scott Hargreaves.