A remote Australian island near a critical Indian Ocean chokepoint for Chinese oil shipments is on the list of potential locations for U.S. military construction. This move aims to deter China, with the U.S. indicating that the projects “may or may not” support American forces.
Pacific Deterrence Initiative Targets Strategic Locations
The Cocos Islands, along with the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea, are under consideration for construction projects under the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. This initiative is designed to enhance U.S. force posture and infrastructure to counter China. The Cocos Islands, with a population of 600, are located 3,000 km (1,864 miles) west of the Australian mainland. The Australian Defence Force describes these islands as key to its maritime surveillance operations in the Indian Ocean, where China is increasing submarine activity.
U.S. Military Interests in the Indian Ocean
A U.S. Navy construction tender published in June lists the Cocos Islands as a possible project location. This indicates the U.S. military’s interest in gaining access to this Indian Ocean territory. “These projects may or may not support the Darwin Marines Rotational Force,” said a spokesman for NAVFAC Pacific, the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet engineering arm, in an email to Reuters. Currently, around 2,000 U.S. Marines are stationed in the northern Australian city of Darwin for six months of the year.
Strategic Significance of the Cocos Islands
The Cocos Islands are closer to the Strait of Malacca, a chokepoint for half of China’s oil shipments, than the U.S. Navy base of Diego Garcia. Diego Garcia, a launch pad for U.S. bombers during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, faces an uncertain future. Darshana Baruah, director of security and geopolitics for the Australia India Institute, highlighted the Cocos Islands’ strategic importance at a U.S. Congressional hearing last year. She stated that the islands would be “critical geography” for the U.S. to exert pressure on China to deter an attack on Taiwan. “Cocos is much closer to the theatre where Washington anticipates conflict scenarios,” she told Reuters. The islands’ proximity to the Strait of Malacca and Australia’s northern approaches provides significant geostrategic advantages.
Australian and U.S. Military Cooperation
Australia plans to start construction on an expanded airfield on the Cocos Islands this year. The airfield will be capable of accommodating heavier military aircraft, including the submarine-hunting P-8A Poseidon. “There is currently no U.S. investment at Cocos (Keeling) Island,” an Australian Defence Force spokesman said in a statement. However, Australia and the U.S. cooperate closely to advance their force posture across various locations in Australia. The U.S. military is also constructing bomber runways and facilities at two key northern Australian air bases.
Future of Diego Garcia Air Base
The U.S. has stated that its Diego Garcia air base plays a vital role in regional security. However, its future is a matter for Britain and Mauritius to decide, following a United Nations General Assembly vote in 2019 that it should be returned to Mauritius.
With Inputs from Reuters
