Australia’s Northern Bases Receive $3.8 Billion Funding Boost to Prep for Potential Conflict

A Royal Australian Air Force F-18 jet fighter lands after an aerial display during the Australian International Airshow Aerospace and Defence Expo at Avalon Airport in Geelong on March 3, 2023. Paul Crock/AFP via Getty Images

The Labor government has pledged $3.8 billion (US$2.5 billion) for upgrades to military bases across Australia’s north as part of a steady build-up to deal with potential conflict in the region.

The announcement follows an earlier pledge in 2021 to upgrade four military training facilities in the Northern Territory.