Institute of Public Affairs’ report on why 16,000 US Marines should be posted to Darwin

Posting 16,000 US Marines to Darwin would be the ‘cheapest’ way of deterring potential adversaries, a new report claims. However, infrastructure and housing remain a concern. DETAILS.

A new report is urging the next Australian Government to have 16,000 US Marines stationed in Darwin. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Deploying 16,000 US Marines to Darwin each year would be the cheapest way of deterring Australia’s potential enemies, a new report claims, urging a huge American influx to arrive in the Top End as early as 2025.

This week, a report released by the Institute of Public Affairs’ pitched six recommendations in how the next Australian government should improve national security.

Prepared by former Defence official Peter Jennings and strategy expert Michael Shoebridge, the paper’s second recommendation called for Darwin’s US Marine presence to increase to 16,000 troops per rotation as early as next year.

If the report’s recommendations are agreed to, Darwin’s US Marine population could multiply in the coming years. Picture Glenn Campbell

Currently, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin deploys around 2500 Marines to Robertson Barracks, Palmerston, each year, with a large fleet of US military vehicles permanently based in the Top End.

Despite the large contingent of American warfighters stationed in Australia’s north, the paper maintained a massive American influx would be the “cheapest” means of deterring potential adversaries in the region.

“To be frank a larger USMC presence in northern Australia offers the cheapest boost to deterrence Australia could possibly buy,” the report says.

“This approach compliments the American military strategy of dispersal through the Indo-Pacific and would add substantially to US and Australian capacity to train with and engage the armed forces of neighbouring countries.”

The report said a larger US force could help Darwin’s 1st Brigade achieve its littoral capability objectives, and suggested the huge presence should deploy to the Top End in the near future.

“If agreed, this larger USMC presence should be made to happen within the next term of government, that is, 2025-28,” the report says.

“We know that Marines have the capacity to move at speed, the challenge will be for Australia to keep pace.”

MRF-D personnel are currently housed at Robertson Barracks, Palmerston.

Additionally, the report suggested the boost should come with “significant” firepower and aviation assets.

With doubts surrounding housing availability in Darwin and Robertson Barracks unable to accommodate 20,000-plus troops, the report acknowledged critical infrastructure needed significant “speeding up”.

“We acknowledge that recent governments have started this process, but only stress that more needs to be done more quickly,” it says.

“The government needs to start a discussion with the private sector about the best way to speed and scale-up this exercise.”