US Marine Corps to Build Permanent Weapons Stockpile in Southeastern Australia
The US Marine Corps is establishing a permanent, war-ready weapons stockpile in southeastern Australia, with $30 million allocated for warehouses and offices in Victoria state. The facility, expected to be fully operational by 2028, will initially store equipment in Melbourne before moving it to US-operated warehouses at the Bandiana military base. This development, the first Marine Corps land stockpile in Australia, aims to enhance strategic positioning in the Indo-Pacific and counter China's military expansion. The US Navy will engage contractors to manage the stockpile in coordination with Australia's Department of Defence.