Auckland (The NZ Today)
The United States is preparing to expand the scale and scope of its military activity in Australia, with further details expected later this year as the two allies deepen defence cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the discussions after meeting US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington, saying both countries had talked about expanding American “force posture” across Australian facilities.
The exact changes have not yet been announced. Marles said more would be revealed at the next AUSMIN, the annual Australia-US ministerial talks, expected in the coming months.
Importantly, the expansion does not necessarily mean simply stationing substantially more American troops in Australia. Marles said the talks were also about broadening and deepening cooperation across land, sea, air, cyber and space.
The US already has a sizeable rotational presence in Australia. Marines regularly deploy through Darwin, while preparations are advancing for Submarine Rotational Force-West at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, where US and British nuclear-powered submarines will operate on rotation under the AUKUS partnership.
Australia says SRF-West remains on schedule to begin by the end of 2027, with American personnel already working at HMAS Stirling to prepare for the programme.
ABC reported that about 1,000 US Navy personnel are expected to be based around HMAS Stirling to support the Virginia-class submarine rotations.
Marles said the growing US presence was important for deterrence and maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific, describing closer defence cooperation as being in Australia’s national interest.
The talks also covered greater cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries, including guided weapons and missile production. The Pentagon indicated both sides had agreed to accelerate existing force-posture initiatives at Australian bases, according to ABC.
Australia insists the arrangements do not amount to the creation of permanent US military bases. Under the Force Posture Agreement, American access to Australian facilities remains rotational and subject to Australian approval and sovereignty.
The expansion comes as Australia continues to increase defence spending and invest heavily in AUKUS. Marles said Australian defence expenditure was now equivalent to about 2.8% of GDP using the NATO measure, with spending planned to reach 3% by 2033.
Marles also reiterated confidence in the AUKUS submarine programme, under which Australia is expected to acquire its first second-hand US Virginia-class submarine in the early 2030s.
Sources: Australian Department of Defence, ABC News reporting.
