**US Establishes Permanent Weapons Stockpile in Australia Amid Regional Tensions**
The United States is set to establish a permanent stockpile of battle-ready weapons for its Marine Corps in Australia, according to a report by AFP, which has reviewed tender documents and received confirmation from official sources. This development comes amid heightened military cooperation between the US and Australia, which has drawn criticism from China.
The US Navy's tender documents, published in June, indicate that approximately $30 million has been allocated for the construction of warehouses and offices at a military base in Bandiana, located in Victoria, Australia. The stockpile is expected to reach full operational capacity by 2028, with initial storage planned in Melbourne before being relocated to the Bandiana facility.
To manage the arms depot, the US Navy intends to hire around 110 engineers, mechanics, and safety experts through a global defense contractor. This move is necessitated by an Australian law that prohibits the hosting of foreign military bases, preventing US servicemen from directly managing the facility.
A spokesperson for the US Marine Corps stated that the activities in Australia are aimed at supporting "integrated global sustainment" by maintaining equipment and supplies that are ready for deployment in operations and exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
In a broader context, the Pentagon has requested $500 million from the US Congress for the year 2027 to position military equipment and fuel across the Asia-Pacific, a strategy aimed at deterring China's influence in the region. The US is also planning to open its first stockpile in the Philippines later this year as part of this initiative.
The establishment of the stockpile in Victoria occurs against a backdrop of increasing military capabilities in the region, with the Lowy Institute think tank recently warning that China has developed the capability to strike northern Australia from its bases in the South China Sea. However, AFP notes that the US stockpile is being set up outside the range of Chinese ballistic missiles.
China has consistently criticized the military collaboration between the US and Australia, accusing both nations of undermining security in the Asia-Pacific and exhibiting a "Cold War mentality." Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian responded to the Lowy Institute's report by urging Australia to refrain from exaggerating the "China threat," asserting that China's military advancements are purely for defensive purposes and not aimed at targeting other nations.
Additionally, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu has raised concerns about the potential deployment of American nuclear arms in South Korea and Japan, suggesting that such weapons could also be stationed in Australia due to its involvement in the AUKUS partnership. The AUKUS pact, signed in 2021 between the US, UK, and Australia, aims to facilitate the development of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
As the US moves forward with its plans for a weapons stockpile in Australia, the geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region continues to evolve, with tensions between major powers influencing military strategies and alliances.