The facility, which would be the first Marine Corps stockpile of its kind in Australia, is part of broader efforts by Washington to strengthen its military logistics network across the Asia-Pacific amid concerns over China’s expanding military capabilities.
US Navy documents published this month show that $30 million has been earmarked for warehouses and office facilities in the state of Victoria to support what is described as “critical forward provisioning”. The stockpile is expected to be fully operational by 2028.
According to the documents, equipment will initially be stored in Melbourne before being transferred to dedicated US warehouses planned for construction next year at the Bandiana military base in rural Victoria.
The US Navy is seeking a defence contractor to oversee the facility, with around 110 engineers, mechanics and logistics specialists expected to manage the stockpile, which will include crew-served weapons.
“Marine Corps activities in Australia support integrated global sustainment by maintaining ready-for-issue equipment and supplies for operations and exercises across the Indo-Pacific,” a spokesperson for US Marine Corps Forces Pacific told AFP.
The spokesperson said the equipment would be maintained at a high level of readiness and that operations would be coordinated closely with Australia’s Department of Defence.
The Pentagon has requested US$500 million from Congress for 2027 to enhance prepositioning of military equipment and fuel across the Asia-Pacific as part of efforts to deter China.
Analysts told AFP that the location of the planned facility in southeastern Australia could also reflect concerns about the reach of Chinese missile systems. A recent report by the Lowy Institute warned that China has the capability to strike northern Australia using ballistic missiles deployed from its South China Sea outposts.
John Blaxland, professor of international security at the Australian National University, told AFP that growing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific has increased Australia’s importance as a location for military logistics and storage.
