Antinuclear

US military expected to export ‘high-risk’ explosives to Australian ports amid arms expansion

ABC News, by Oliver Chaseling, Fri 9 May 25, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/us-defence-department-to-increase-arms-shipments-to-australia/105259122

In short:

The US Department of Defence has sought tenders for the handling of US military cargo in Australian ports. 

In its tender solicitation, the shipping manifest of an existing contract has been expanded to include indefinite quantities of explosive cargo.

What’s next?

Further announcements on US-Australian military cooperation in coming months was flagged at a recent Defence industry summit in Darwin.

Subcontractors in at least four Australian ports are expected to soon handle United States military cargo containing gases and radioactive material, as part of an expanded contract with the US government, the ABC can reveal.

The US Department of Defense is currently seeking tenders for port services in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria, where it expects “indefinite quantities” of explosives, aircraft, classified and general cargo to be unloaded from ships and onto trucks.

The tender solicitation issued by a US transportation battalion based in Yokohama, Japan, covers the handling of cargo shipped to and from Australia……………………………………………………………………………….

The new contract will also expand arms shipments to the Point Wilson port, between Geelong and Melbourne, which in 2023 was flagged for “large-scale importation of guided weapons and explosive ordnance” according to the Australian Department of Defence……………………………………………………..

Shipments mark ‘maturing’ US military logistics network 

Defence industry consultant Darian Macey said the contract “broadens the [US] strategic footprint” in Australia, by adding more dangerous cargo and expanding arms shipments to Victoria’s Point Wilson port.

“While the contract itself doesn’t specify end use, the inclusion of high-risk cargo types and expanded port access is consistent with broader trends we’re seeing under AUKUS and allied posture initiatives,” he said.

Mr Macey said the contract signalled “a maturing [US] posture in the region” that could support rapid deployments throughout the Indo-Pacific.

“Australia and the Indo-Pacific region is a theatre to the American military planners,” he said.

“Having those assets in theatre means that they can respond more rapidly, than if they had to bring those assets across from their home country.”

The Australian Department of Defence’s Brigadier Mick Say told the recent Northern Australia Defence Summit that the pre-positioning of US military equipment in Australia had been “enabled” by the 2014 US Force Posture Agreement.

He flagged a potential expansion in US Force Posture efforts after high-level ministerial talks between Canberra and Washington later this year.

“That will lead to a number of other announcements, once agreed to by governments, in regards to the next steps of the Force Posture activities within Australia,” he said.

May 11, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | weapons and war