New $46m defence shooting range opens in NT for ADF, US Marines

The Australian Defence Force has unveiled a $46.1 million state-of-the-art shooting range in the Top End, designed to train both local troops and US Marines. Read the details.

Soldiers fired round after round into distant targets as part of a live fire demonstration. Picture: Thomas McLean

Dust curled into the muggy Top End air Tuesday morning as sharp volleys of gunfire cracked out over a long, neatly-curated expanse.

Soldiers from the Australian Defence Force’s 1st Brigade fired round after round into distant targets as part of a live fire demonstration to mark the opening of a new $46.1 million marksmanship training range.

The 24-lane range, which will be used by the ADF, the US Marine Corps and possibly other defence partners, is reportedly about 600 metres long, with eight lanes going out to 1100 metres for sniper training.

Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil labelled the range “state of the art”, and said the upgrade came as part of the federal government’s “overall investments we’re making across the northern bases of Australia”.

Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil cut the red ribbon to officially open the training facility. Picture: Thomas McLean

These upgrades included those at Robertson’s Barracks, Mt Bundey Training Area and Bradshaw Field Training Area

He later raised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, saying the US-Australia relationship was in “great shape” and upgrades to northern bases were “critically important” for national security.

“This is so important strategically for Australia because we are front and centre in helping shape the region,” he said.

Soldiers from the Australian Defence Force shooting at the range. Picture: Thomas McLean

“We want to shape a region in which there is stability, there’s security, there’s free movement of trade so we can benefit economically and culturally with our neighbours and maintain peace in the region.”

Mr Khalil said he was meeting with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro later on Tuesday to “discuss Defence’s investments in the Territory and how we can work together, as we already are with the Territory government.”

“But this (the training range) is great for the Territory, and it’s really wonderful to see this upgrade happen here.”

Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling. Picture: Thomas McLean

Solomon MP Luke Gosling said the facility was “fantastic” and “world-class”.

“Through using first-class targeting systems that are provided here by ILTS (Integrated Land Target Systems), but also the fantastic facility built here by M&J Builders and Sitzler’s managing directorship and with RPS, those partners have produced something special here,” he said.

He later spoke of the importance of the facility.

“We need them (soldiers) to be the best possible shooters they can be, because if they are ever called on to apply their trade in the defence of our country, they need to be hitting the target – and that’s what a facility like this will enable them to do,” he said.

Brigadier Matthew Quinn said the training range was delivered “pretty much 100 per cent” by local resources. Picture: Thomas McLean

Brigadier Matthew Quinn said Defence was “acutely aware” of the need to “use local resources when we’re developing these projects”.

“This marksmanship training range is an example of that, which was delivered pretty much 100 per cent by local resources and a significant proportion of indigenous businesses and enterprises,” he said.

“There’ll be really great training outcomes for the Australian Defence Force and partner nations … now that we have such an awesome facility.”