The Northern Territory is poised to play a key role in Australia's future missile defences, according to a Top End MP, as the region prepares for an influx of soldiers and defence force spending.
A major defence force review released on Monday by the Albanese government, touted the need for immediate upgrades and developments to bases across northern Australia.
The Defence Strategic Review pinpointed a "network of bases, ports and barracks stretching in Australian territory from Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the north-west, through RAAF bases Learmonth, Curtin, Darwin, Tindal, Scherger and Townsville" for urgent and comprehensive upgrades.
NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles welcomed any increase in troops and the economic boost they would bring.
"What [the review] will deliver for the Northern Territory is an overall increase in military personnel and defence presence into the Northern Territory," Ms Fyles said.
"Northern Australia was on the frontline in World War II, and I hope we never go there [again], but it will again be on the frontline into the future."
The strategic review flagged that Australia was entering the "missile age" and that its army would be re-equipped to operate missile technology to be able to better deal with any possible foreign encroachment.
North could play a role in missile future
Federal government MP Luke Gosling said the country's north would be prepared to play its part.
"There's no doubt that the Northern Territory and the Top End will be part of the [nation's] missile story," he said.
"Why? Because we're defending Australia, and obviously, you can get more range into the northern approaches to Australia from the Top End."
Dr John Coyne, a strategic policy expert on northern Australia, said if and when the review recommendations were taken onboard, the Top End would receive a boost to its economy and firepower.
"What I can say is the capabilities that will be deployed in northern Australia will certainly be more potent and more lethal than they have been in the past," Dr Coyne said.
"What we're going to see is a range of new capabilities.
"We'll likely see the deployment of capabilities like HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System], air defence batteries, those sort of capabilities rotated in and out of the Northern Territory, as part of the [US] Marine rotation in Darwin."
Mr Gosling said the upcoming federal budget would reflect the urgency of the report's recommendations to begin upgrading defence bases in northern Australia as soon as possible.
Increase to US Marine rotation recommended
The presence of the US Marines in Australia's Top End is also poised to grow in the years ahead, with the review recommending an increase to the annual rotation.
The report said an increase would help bolster the alliance between the two nations.
It recommended a shift towards "increased United States rotational force posture in Australia, including submarines".
It also called for greater "engagement with the US on deterrence, including through joint exercises and patrols; and strengthening Australia's sovereign military and industrial capabilities".
Dr Coyne said this could play out through the arrival in the north of more US ships and fighter jets annually.
"There's a strong possibility that we'll see more often, more frequent US Navy ship visits," he said.
"Certainly we're most likely to see a greater rotational force of US air force craft through northern Australia."
The US Marines have been rotating through the Northern Territory on an annual basis since 2011, with the move first touted during a trip to Darwin by then-US president Barack Obama.
The rotation hit a peak of 2,500 troops on the ground in 2019.
