U.S. Military Bolsters Australia Base Amid Rising China Tensions

The U.S. military is developing infrastructure in northern Australia to project power into the South China Sea in case of a crisis with China. Key developments include facilities at Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal, supporting B-52 bombers and F-22 fighters. The projects are part of a broader strategy to disperse U.S. forces in the region.

The U.S. military is enhancing its infrastructure in northern Australia, aiming to strengthen its presence and project power into the South China Sea amid rising tensions with China, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and interviews with U.S. and Australian defense officials.

Historically a garrison town, Darwin now hosts a U.S. Marine rotational force for half the year, while nearby RAAF Base Tindal remains a crucial airpower hub. As northern Australia becomes a key Indo-Pacific strategic location, the U.S. is constructing facilities worth hundreds of millions of dollars to support B-52 bombers and F-22 stealth fighters, among other aircraft, rendering U.S. forces less vulnerable.

Investments include intelligence briefing rooms, upgraded runways, and massive fuel storage. The U.S. has allocated over $300 million for these developments between 2024 and 2025, making northern Australia a significant focus for U.S. Air Force and Navy spending overseas. Further expenditures are anticipated, with projects worth up to $2 billion planned across Australia's Cocos Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Timor Leste.

(With inputs from agencies.)