The United States military is planning to establish a permanent war-ready weapons stockpile for the US Marine Corps on Australia’s southeast coast, according to tender documents and officials cited by AFP.
The facility, designed to store military equipment and supplies, will mark the first land-based Marine Corps stockpile in Australia and is part of broader US efforts to strengthen its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region amid rising tensions with China.
Documents from the US Navy show that around $30 million has been allocated for warehouses and office infrastructure in Victoria state to support “critical forward provisioning.” The stockpile is expected to be fully operational by 2028 and will initially be stored in Melbourne before being moved to a dedicated facility at the Bandiana military base.
Officials say the site will house equipment, ammunition and “crew-served weapons” to ensure rapid deployment capability for US forces operating across the region. The initiative is part of a wider US strategy of pre-positioning military supplies, a practice that dates back to the Cold War and is already used in regions such as Europe and the Middle East.
The development comes as the US increases military cooperation with Australia, a key ally in the Indo-Pacific. While Australia does not permit permanent foreign military bases, it has allowed rotational deployments and expanded logistical support for US forces in recent years.
A US Marine Corps spokesperson said the stockpile will support joint operations and exercises across the region, enhancing readiness and interoperability with allied forces. Australian defence authorities are expected to coordinate closely on the project, although they have not yet publicly commented on the latest documents.
The move reflects growing US concerns over regional security dynamics, particularly China’s military expansion and its missile capabilities in the South China Sea. Analysts say Australia’s geographic position makes it a strategically valuable location for forward military logistics, especially as tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise.
Experts note that once operational, the facility could become a potential strategic target in any future conflict scenario, underscoring the increasing militarisation of the region.