US to Establish Military Equipment Stockpile in Australia to Counter China

The U.S. military is set to establish a significant stockpile of military equipment, including heavy weapons, on Australia's southeast coast. This strategic move, confirmed by officials to AFP, aims to bolster U.S. readiness in the Indo-Pacific region and counter China's growing military influence.

The chosen location in Victoria, Australia, is strategically positioned outside the range of most Chinese missiles, a key geographical advantage for the U.S. This initiative marks a new step for U.S. Marines in Australia, who have historically prepositioned military gear globally through methods like floating depots or Norwegian caves.

Documents released by the U.S. Navy detail a $30 million investment for constructing warehouses and offices in Victoria. The stockpile will initially be based in Melbourne before moving to new U.S.-built facilities at an Australian military base in Bandiana next year. The base is expected to reach its maximum capacity by 2028.

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Marine Corps activities in Australia contribute to integrated global logistic support, ensuring operational readiness of materials and equipment for operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

While Canberra does not permit foreign military bases on its soil, it has a security alliance with the U.S. and increasingly hosts American forces on a rotational basis. The U.S. Navy is recruiting approximately 110 specialists, including engineers and mechanics, to manage the Australian depot, which will contain "heavy weapons."

"Marine Corps activities in Australia contribute to integrated global logistic support, ensuring operational readiness of materials and equipment for operations and exercises in the Indo-Pacific region," the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific stated in a release to AFP. A spokesperson confirmed the equipment will be maintained in "high readiness."

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high readiness