SYDNEY: 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, Defense Minister Richard Marles said Wednesday. The US Marines will include Australia in a global prepositioning program for weapons, ammunition and vehicles for the first time, AFP reported on Tuesday, citing tender documents. An initial stockpile in Melbourne city will move to US warehouses at Australia’s Bandiana military base in rural Victoria.

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…

The first land stockpile in the Asia-Pacific is expected to open this year in the Philippines, close to potential flashpoints in the South China Sea.

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…

US Navy documents show advanced planning for a large stockpile, with US$30 million allocated to build warehouses and offices in Victoria.

The development of the stockpile, a first for the Marine Corps in Australia, comes as the United States is keen to leverage the continent's strategic location in the South Pacific…

SYDNEY, June 16 — 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...

The U.S. military plans a war-ready stockpile in Australia to enhance operations and counter China's military expansion in the region.

Facility to support operations, exercises across Asia-Pacific

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…

SYDNEY: 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, Defense Minister…

The US Marines will include Australia in a global prepositioning programme for weapons, ammunition and vehicles for the first time.