Defence to expand northern footprint with $3.8b boost

Air force bases and barracks will be upgraded across northern Australia to boost military operations.

The government is putting aside $3.8 billion for improvements across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

RAAF Learmonth on the WA coast, Scherger and Townsville in Queensland and other bases across the NT and Cocos Islands will share $2 billion to improve runways, fuel storage and supply, accommodation and security.

A further $1 billion will go towards upgrading training areas in the NT and barracks in Darwin and Townsville.

Maritime bases in Coonawarra in the NT and Cairns in Queensland will be given a share of $600 million while another $200 million will be used to accelerate projects across Australia's north.

The money is coming from a combination of reallocated defence spending and the cancellation of other programs. 

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the boost would expand the defence footprint in the area.

"We will be seeing the numbers of personnel in the north and specifically in Darwin growing over the next 10 years ... there is some moving around but in aggregate, you will see numbers grow," he told reporters on Thursday.

"What you're also going to see is a continual growth of the (US) marine rotation that's happening here and greater opportunities to involve other countries in training opportunities."

Mr Marles said other countries expressed interest in taking part in military exercises in the area during the rotation of US marines in Darwin.

The announcement follows a major review that recommended the defence force improve its ability to operate out of northern Australia. 

"That goes very much to the thrust of what the defence strategic review is articulating in looking to have a greater physical investment in our north but a human investment as well," Mr Marles said.

"All of that equals greater defence activity in the north and here in Darwin and all that is good news for the territory's economy."

Opposition defence industry spokesman Luke Howarth welcomed the announcement but said service personnel were being left on the front lines without a plan following the review's release.

He chastised the government for shifting funding from other projects instead of committing new money. 

"The Albanese government must provide a deliberate and clear plan to ensure that our Australian Defence Force base infrastructure is postured to address the strategic circumstances," Mr Howarth said. 

"The defence strategic review has brought nothing but chaos and confusion for the troops on the ground and has failed to provide the clarity on what these announcements will mean. 

"The men and women who serve our country deserve clear and specific details."