Australia counters China with $60m maritime base on the Solomon Islands

Australia’s defence has announced a mega deal to build a maritime base on the Solomon Islands to counter any chance of China doing the same.

Australia will build a maritime base on the Solomon Islands for local forces under a new $60 million package that will counter any threat of China looking to do the same.

Defence has announced it has signed a joint venture contract with private sector construction firm Reeves Icon and Hall for the major infrastructure work at two sites on the Pacific island nation.

One of the facilities is designed to support the Solomon Islands’ two Guardian-class Patrol Boats, which had been previously gifted by Australia, and will include a wharf, accommodation blocks and a command post.

The ship’s company of Royal Solomon Islands Patrol Vessel Taro march along the wharf at AUSTAL Ship Building Facility in Henderson, Western Australia, to board their vessel for the first time on completion of the vessel’s handover.

The Western Border Outpost base at Lofung South, Shortland Islands, will bring together the local police and customs maritime forces, which act as a combined paramilitary security service.

Defence said the move would support a more secure and resilient region.

“The Outpost will enhance Solomon Islands’ border security and maritime surveillance capability while promoting economic development and stability in the region,” a Defence spokesperson said.

Canberra was left reeling earlier this year when Beijing signed a security pact with Honiara right under the nose of then Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in what was described by Labor as “the worst Australian foreign policy failure since 1945”.

Australia’s support for the Western Border Outpost will enhance Solomon Islands border security and extend its maritime surveillance capability. Picture: Defence.

It was feared the security pact was laying the groundwork for China to build a military base on the strategic islands – or at least have facilities that Beijing was quoted as saying could support “armed forces operations” not related to warfare.

Australia has since embarked on a tit-for-tat donation splurge for the islands, with the Albanese government providing Solomon Islands police with 60 new semi-automatic rifles and 13 police vehicles. China responded with other vehicles and water cannon trucks for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, speak during their meeting in Canberra. Picture: Getty Images.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has since been forced to guarantee there would be no China base but accepted the donations from both governments.

The Albanese government has been hard-pressed to rebuild relations with many Pacific nations and assure the region Australia remained a partner of choice for security and welfare.

Defence said the latest package, to cost $60 million, will also include “significant infrastructure upgrades” to the Hells Point Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) facility in the capital, Honiara.

The AFP has delivered specialist training, and donated vehicles and weapons with a combined investment of over $1.3 million to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). Picture: Australian Federal Police.

“Hells Point will see significant infrastructure upgrades that will enable safer and more effective training programs to take place in support of explosive ordinance disposal capability growth,” the spokesperson said.

“Solomon Islands has one of the largest concentrations of unexploded remnants of war or unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Pacific.”

“The engagement of Reeves Icon and Hall as the head contractor for the delivery of these infrastructure projects is another major milestone in our security partnership with the Solomon Islands,” the spokesperson said.