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The United States has announced plans to invest a significant amount of money to upgrade military infrastructure on the Cocos Islands and other locations in the Indo-Pacific. This initiative aims to strengthen its military presence and deter China.
What’s the deal: The US is allocating up to $15 billion to construct and refurbish military facilities in Australia’s Cocos Islands, as well as in the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea. This funding, under the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, will cover new facilities, repairs, renovations, and infrastructure enhancements. Key projects include:
- Expanded airfield to accommodate larger aircraft, including reconnaissance planes and aerial refuelers, on the Cocos Islands.
- Improving lighting and drainage systems.
- Building new wharfs that can take larger ships.
- Updated roads.
- Advanced communication upgrades.
Why now: The funding under this initiative was initially established by Congress to maintain and enhance the US military’s strategic advantage over China in the Indo-Pacific region.
More on the Cocos: The Cocos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean about 1,864 miles west of Perth, Australia, were acquired by Australia in 1955 from the Clunies-Ross family, who had governed them for nearly a century. This strategic location is crucial for the US military as it is close to the Strait of Malacca, a vital chokepoint for Chinese oil imports.
