The Northern Territory could host proposed joint military exercises with Australian and US troops

The Territory could be considered to host new military exercises with Australian and US troops, given its current relationship with the ally and defence upgrades announced earlier this year.

THE Territory could be considered to host new military exercises with Australian and US troops, given its current relationship with the ally and multimillion-dollar defence upgrades announced earlier this year.

Australia and the US are in discussions about plans for new exercises in Australia, including joint training with American army soldiers.

The proposed exercises would be modelled on Darwin’s annual Marine Rotational Force and would use a variety of military training areas, according to The Australian.

It is not known yet what training areas are of interest but the Northern Territory is a likely candidate given its long history with the US.

This year marked the 10th Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D), with the first of 2200 US Marines arriving in the Top End in February.

Marines and sailors from across the United States and overseas have congregated in Darwin for joint training events throughout the NT until the conclusion of the deployment in October.

This included Exercise Southern Jackaroo, one of the most complex training exercises conducted.

In April, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced $747m would be spent on upgrading four Territory defence training areas over the next five years.

The four training areas earmarked for the revamp are Robertson Barracks in Darwin, Kangaroo Flats near Berry Springs, Mount Bundey southeast of Humpty Doo and Bradshaw Field near Timber Creek, which is slated for the largest upgrade.

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The area is also suitable enough for joint and combined live fire training, brigade level manoeuvre and aerial bombing.

A statement from Defence said the focus of any future Australian Defence Force co-operation with the US would be “what best supports Australia’s strategic objectives”.

“Australia and the US will continue to exercise together to enhance the capability and interoperability of the ADF and US forces to better prepare both nations to respond to crises in the region, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” it said.

Queensland is another likely candidate.

Originally published as The Northern Territory could host proposed joint military exercises with Australian and US troops