Arabic version: الولايات المتحدة تخطط لتسريع التوسع العسكري في أستراليا

According to ABC News, the United States will accelerate military force posture initiatives at Australian bases after Defence Minister Richard Marles met US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Washington DC. The Pentagon’s account of the meeting said the two countries discussed expanding the American military presence and increasing military-industrial cooperation, including guided missile production.

Any expansion would add to existing arrangements, including annual US Marine rotations through Darwin and Submarine Rotational Force—West at HMAS Stirling near Perth. About 1,000 US Navy personnel are due to be based at HMAS Stirling from next year to support American Virginia-class submarines operating from the naval base.

Mr Marles said further announcements were expected when he and Foreign Minister Penny Wong meet US counterparts at AUSMIN in coming months. He said a growing American force in Australia was important for deterrence, stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific. Australia signed a force posture agreement with Washington in 2014, aimed at securing a long-term US presence and supporting regional stability and rapid humanitarian disaster responses.

The Pentagon also stressed that capable allies should contribute to collective defence and invest in sovereign security. Mr Marles said Australia’s defence spending was 2.8 per cent of GDP by the NATO measure and had been well received. He also reiterated confidence that Australia would receive its first Virginia-class submarine in 2032 under AUKUS, although a future US president will make the final decision on the sale.