US Marine Corps plans for a crisis-ready stockpile in Australia are part of a "growing US footprint" in the country and important for national security, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Wednesday.

The massive buildup of weapons is part of an Asia-wide regional defence strategy to counter the rise of China.

SYDNEY: The US military is planning a permanent war-ready weapons stockpile for its Marine Corps on Australia’s southeast coast beyond the range of most Chinese missiles, tender…