An agreement has been reached between Australia and the United States for military fuel reserves. The decision, which was taken at a time when relations with China were strained by both countries, will build a US-backed reserve in Australia. The project, which is scheduled to take place in Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory province, is expected to strengthen defence between allies. Experts see the stocking of equipment and fuel reserves in Darwin as an alternative to US bases in the southeast and northeast Asia.

Considered one of the region's “strategically important defensive points,” Darwin has hosted about 1,250 U.S. Marines since the era of former President Barack Obama. In Darwin, training exercises are also being carried out by the two countries.