Bold plan to flood Darwin with thousands of US Marines as cheapest way to defend 'under-prepared Australia from enemies Think tank floats expanded US Marine deployment Calls for 16,000 troops per rotation each year READ MORE: ADF slammed for woke recruit questions By David Southwell For Daily Mail Australia Published: 01:37 BST, 9 August 2024 | Updated: 01:37 BST, 9 August 2024 e-mail View comments Up to 16,000 US Marines would by 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 beefed up to 16,000 US Marines as one of the cheapest and quickest ways for Australia to deter potential enemies. Currently 2,500 Marines are stationed at Robertson Barracks, Palmerston on a rotational basis and are supported by a large fleet of US military vehicles and other equipment.
The National Security and Australia’s Northern Defence report by the Institute of Public Affairs and Strategic Analysis Australia argues Australia faces a 'worsening strategic outlook' and does not have the 'luxury' of planning for 10 years ahead. 'To be frank a larger USMC presence in northern Australia offers the cheapest boost to deterrence Australia could possibly buy,' the report by former Defence official Peter Jennings and strategy expert Michael Shoebridge says. 'This approach compliments the American military strategy of dispersal through the Indo-Pacific and would add substantially to US and Australian capacity to train with and engage the armed forces of neighbouring countries.
' The report argued the US could scale up its forces rapidly. 'If agreed, this larger USMC presence should be made to happen within the next term of government, that is, 2025-28,' the report says. A think tank is calling for up to 16,000 US Marines to be stationed in Darwin (pictured, US Marines at ADF Robertson Barracks at Palmerston in the Northern Territory) 'We know that Marines have the capacity to move at speed, the challenge will be for Australia to keep pace.
' Read More Australian Defence Force offers citizenship fast-track for foreign recruits as it struggles to hire The extra Marines would come with considerable weaponry and vehicles, the report states, and complement the Australian Army's 1st Brigade stationed in Darwin. However, the report noted Robertson Barracks would unable to accommodate 20,000-plus troops and extra housing would have to be built rapidly. 'We acknowledge that recent governments have started this process, but only stress that more needs to be done more quickly,' it says.
'The government needs to start a discussion with the private sector about the best way to speed and scale-up this exercise.' Other recommendations the report made to bolster Australia's defences are to quickly acquire the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and to establish stronger ADF presence and supporting infrastructure in northern Australia and major islands. The report admits housing the extra troops would need a rapid building of infrastructure (pictured, US Marines arriving at RAAF Base Darwin in 2022) In terms of strengthening alliances it called for Japan to be brought into ANZUS and work towards a closer defence relationship with India as well as developing a Pacific Response Force with Pacific Island neighbours.
'Australia is facing its most challenging security environment since the Second World War, yet the country is dramatically underprepared for the possibility of conflict in the Indo-Pacific,' Institute of Public Affairs Executive Director Scott Hargreaves said. Asia Share or comment on this article: Bold plan to flood Darwin with thousands of US Marines as cheapest way to defend 'under-prepared Australia from enemies e-mail Add comment.
