Top End military training bases to be upgraded at cost of $747m
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, seen here in 2019 with the Commanding officer of the USS Ronald Reagan during a joint training exercise, is expected to announce sweeping upgrades of military training bases on a visit to the Northern Territory. Photo: AAP
The federal government has earmarked almost one billion dollars to upgrade Northern Territory military training bases and ranges used by both the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and US Marines.
The upgrades are seen as preparing for expanded âwar gaming exercisesâ with the United States and come as tensions grow over Chinaâs expansion into the South China Sea and its threats to invade Taiwan.
The spending is part of a previously announced joint Australian and US government program to invest $2 billion on infrastructure works and facilities at existing ADF sites in the NT.
The move follows Home Affairs Department secretary Michael Pezzulloâs warning the âdrums of war are beatingâ. In his Anzac Day message to staff, Pezzullo said Australia must be prepared âto send off, yet again, our warriors to fightâ.
Pezzulloâs message came amid growing military tensions between China and the US over Taiwan, and in it he highlighted the âprotection afforded to Australiaâ by its 70-year-old ANZUS military alliance with the US and New Zealand.
Morrison travels to NT to announce funding
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to travel to Darwin on Wednesday to announce the five-year $747 million defence infrastructure package.
The four bases in line for the funding are used by the ADF and US marines based in the Top End.
The bases include Robertson Barracks Close Training Area, Kangaroo Flats Training Area, Mount Bundey Training and Bradshaw Field Training Area.
The overhaul is expected to include upgrading weapons firing ranges, lengthening the Northern Territoryâs Bradshaw Field Training Area airstrip to support heavier aircraft, and new training facilities for ADF personnel and US marines.
âWorking with the United States, our allies and Indo-Pacific neighbours, we will continue to advance Australiaâs interests by investing in the Australian Defence Force, particularly across Northern Australia,â Mr Morrison said in a statement, published by The Australian.
âOur focus is on pursuing peace, stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific, with a world order that favours freedom.
-with AAP
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