Northern Territory Defence

Economic contribution

The Northern Territory (NT) is an important strategic location for defence and the industry continues to make a substantial contribution to the NT economy through direct and indirect employment and demand for local goods and services. Defence also generates economic activity through major operations and exercises held in the NT, along with capital works projects, many of which engage local businesses.

Expenditure

Defence expenditure in 2016-17 contributed 7.3% to the NT’s GSP or approximately $1.9 billion, in inflation‑adjusted terms. This reflects an increase of 3.4% compared to the previous year and remains above with the 10-year average defence expenditure of $1.8 billion (Chart 1). This increase was largely driven by a 35.8% increase in defence investment.

Nationally, total defence expenditure accounted for 2.2% of Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP). Total national defence expenditure as a proportion of Australia’s GDP is expected to rise over the medium term. A significant portion of the increased defence expenditure is likely to occur in the NT, with a number of major investment projects commencing or planned in northern Australia as part of the Australian Government commitment to the 2016 Defence White Paper.

Defence expenditure in the NT as a proportion of total national defence expenditure has ranged between 5.0% to 6.4% over the past decade. The share of defence expenditure as a proportion of NT GSP has fallen slightly over the same period from 8.2% in 2007-08 to 7.3% in 2016-17, mainly due to increases in economic activity from other sectors of the economy since 2011‑12, rather than significant changes in defence expenditure (Chart 2).

Commonwealth’s 2016 Defence White Paper

The 2016 Defence White Paper outlines a strategic plan for the ADF over the following decade. The paper describes the need for improvement in the capabilities of the ADF and includes a commitment to $195 billion over 10 years in spending on new equipment, infrastructure, information and communications technology, and resources, as well as plans for restructure and review of the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Army, through increased personnel, investment, training, and joint initiatives with international defence forces. All elements of the Commonwealth’s defence investment are outlined in an Integrated Investment Program, published with the 2016 Defence White Paper. Both documents are available on the Commonwealth’s Department of Defence website.

As highlighted in the 2016 Defence White Paper, defence major capital works projects will continue to make a significant contribution to economic growth in the NT. Expenditure for the NT included in the White Paper is estimated to be valued at about $8 billion from 2015-16 to 2024-25 (31.6% of total defence investment in Australia), and a further $12 billion between 2025-26 and 2035-36 (43.3% of total defence investment in Australia).

The 2016 Defence Integrated Investment Program will guide the implementation of the bulk of the 2016 Defence White Paper investment over the period to 2025‑26. Long-term infrastructure priorities identified in the program that will benefit the NT include:

developing long-term options to establish naval facilities with greater capacity to support Australia’s larger maritime force into the future, including new offshore patrol vessels;
adding ship loading capacity, including options for a possible new roll-on roll-off wharf in northern Australia to support Australia’s amphibious capability;
developing options to enhance air base capacity in the NT to support future ADF air combat, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, air-to-air refueller and air transport fleets, and with capacity to support visiting aircraft of allies and partners;
developing options for establishing a new Northern Advanced Joint Training Area with the capacity for large-scale, joint and combined amphibious training; and
establishing a rail link from the main civilian train line to RAAF Base Tindal to support the transport and handling of explosive ordnance and bulk fuel.

As part of the cost-sharing negotiations for the Force Posture Initiative, Australia and the United States (US) will be investing around $2 billion in estate and infrastructure in the NT, offering significant opportunities to local industries, as well as the ongoing operational costs of the initiative over the full 25-year life of the agreement.

A growing number of defence and national security platforms (including aircraft, ship vessels and equipment), which are either based in or operate from the NT, will be replaced as part of the major national acquisition program currently underway. Current platforms in the NT such as the F-18 Hornet, Armidale Class Patrol Boat and Cape Class Patrol Boat will be replaced with new platforms, such as the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter as well as six of the twelve new offshore patrol vessels, which are proposed to be located in Coonawarra. The NT has also been identified as a likely forward operating base for the future MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicles.

Planned Capital Works

Major defence infrastructure projects currently in progress or expected to commence in the near term include:

$30 million on the US led airfield works at RAAF Base Darwin, during 2018-2020;
$161 million on upgrades to RAAF Base Darwin to support the new Poseidon P8 maritime patrol aircraft, during 2018-2020;
$71 million for the redevelopment works at the Delamere Range near Katherine to include construction of new facilities, communication and guidance systems to support personnel training on the EA18G Growler aircraft, due for completion in 2019;
$34 million on upgrades to health facilities at Robertson Barracks, and development of a new health facility at Larrakeyah, during 2019 – 2020;
$21 million on upgrades to RAAF Base Darwin’s explosive storage facilities as part of the Explosive Ordnance Logistics Reform Program, due for completion in 2020;
$86 million for the replacement of the existing Australian Defence air traffic systems at RAAF Base Tindal and RAAF Base Darwin, due for completion 2021;
$538 million for the new Air Combat Capability Facilities project at RAAF Base Tindal and RAAF Base Darwin, to support the F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighters arriving at RAAF Base Tindal in 2021, due for completion in 2021.

Darwin ship lift and marine industry project

A new ship lift facility will be developed at East Arm in the medium term, which will position Darwin as the marine services hub for northern Australia. The NT Government will contribute up to $100 million towards the project and has commenced consultation with the Department of Defence, Border Force and industry to secure local marine maintenance commitments that will underpin the ship lift. The project will include a ship lift facility for lifting vessels from the water for dry docking and maintenance works, and a common user area, available for ship repair and maintenance works. The project will have the capacity to lift vessels more than 90 meters in length, including the ADF’s new offshore patrol vessels.

Land Development Corporation is also developing the Marine Industry Park which will establish an integrated marine services precinct that supports the Defence, oil and gas, coastal barging and logistics sectors.

Personnel

Defence personnel generally move into the NT on a minimum of a one‑year posting, thus substantially contributing to population turnover in the NT. Families moving with defence personnel also contribute economically to the NT community by adding to the pool of available employees.

In 2016-17 there were 5,588 defence personnel based in the NT (including permanent personnel and reservists), of which 3,593 were in the army, 1,073 in the air force, 655 in the navy and 267 were Department of Defence civilians (Chart 3).

The number of defence personnel located in the NT declined by 1.5% in 2016-17. This was the sixth consecutive year of decline since a peak of 7,234 people in 2009‑10 (Chart 3). The decline in the ADF workforce was driven by decreases in both permanent and reserve forces (down 1.7% and 1.6%, respectively). The NT’s share of defence personnel slightly decreased from 5.8% in 2015-16 to 5.7% in 2016-17, continuing a downward trend.

Defence’s contribution to the NT’s population is significantly broader than personnel directly employed, as a significant number of defence force personnel arriving in the NT also bring with them spouses and children. It is estimated that the NT’s total defence population (including personnel and their families) is approximately 12,000 or about 5% of the NT’s population. Further, the number of US Marines arriving in the NT has grown from 250 in 2012 to 1,250 in 2017, as part of the Joint Australia‑US Force Posture Initiative, which are also not included in the total defence force personnel data.

Presence

Defence is a significant contributor to the NT economy through the creation of direct and indirect employment, building of infrastructure and generating demand for local goods and services.

The significant defence presence in the NT contributes to economic activity, primarily through investment in base and storage infrastructure and training facilities. Defence also indirectly benefits the NT economy through increased visitor numbers and spending on local services in industries such as tourism, retail trade, culture and recreation, food and transport services.

Bases and sites

All three ADF services (army, navy and airforce) have multiple northern Australia bases. The army operates from Larrakeyah Barracks and Robertson Barracks; the navy is based at HMAS Coonawarra; and the air force has RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal in the NT.

Two of the army’s three multi-role combat brigades are based in northern Australia, with the 1st Brigade predominantly located at Robertson Barracks. The army also operates three Regional Force Surveillance Units in northern Australia, with one of the three being the North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) based at Darwin’s Larrakeyah Barracks. Its area of operation covers 1.8 million square kilometers and encompasses the NT and the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and is one of the largest area of any military units in the world.

Other major defence sites in the NT include the Defence Establishment Berrimah in Darwin, which comprises accommodation and living facilities for defence personnel stationed in Darwin, the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap near Alice Springs, which provides detailed geolocation intelligence to the US military, and the Multi-User Barge Ramp at East Arm, which provides logistics support to the ADF and a strategic interface between land and sea for up to 60 days per year.

In addition, the NT hosts expansive training areas including the Bradshaw field training area (near Timber Creek), Kangaroo Flats training area (near Berry Springs), Mount Bundey field training area (south-east of Darwin), Delamere air weapons range (near Katherine), and the north Australia exercise area (located off the coast of Darwin and adjacent air space).

Map 1: Major defence sites in the NT¹

1 This map is produced from various sources. Department of Treasury and Finance cannot guarantee the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the information. To be used as a guide only.
Source: Department of Treasury and Finance; DefenceNT; Department of Trade, Business and Innovation

Training and exercises

The NT often hosts Australian and joint international defence force training exercises, aimed to strengthen defence postures and capabilities.

Exercise Pitch Black is one of the largest air force training exercises in the southern hemisphere and is held every two years in Australia. The 2018 exercise will be held from 27 July to 17 August 2018 at RAAF Tindal and RAAF Darwin. It is aimed at improving the combat readiness and the cooperation of air forces, as well as to strengthen the ongoing military relationships between the countries involved. The exercise typically hosts up to 2,500 personnel and over 100 aircraft from around the globe including participants from Australia, Canada, France (New Caledonia), Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

Exercise Talisman Sabre is a major Australian and US military training exercise focused on the planning and conduct of mid-intensity ‘high end’ warfare. The exercise aims to improve ADF/US combat readiness and interoperability. In July 2017, it was the seventh time the exercise has been conducted and involved over 30,000 Australian and US defence personnel.

Exercise Southern Jackaroo is the ADF’s annual trilateral exercise with elements from US Pacific Command (including US Marines from the Joint Australia-US Force Posture Intiative) and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force, which was held at the Mount Bundey training area from 18 May to 2 June 2017. Around 1000 military personnel took part in foundation war-fighting and combined arms activities within field training and live fire exercises.

Exercise Diamond Storm run by the RAAF Air Warfare Centre, is one of the practical components of the Air Warfare Instructors Course, which graduates students who are experts in Australian Defence Force capabilities and integration across the services, and also have technical mastery of their own roles, capabilities and systems. In June 2017, the exercise used airspace over Bradshaw training area and Delamere air weapons range to practice large formation offensive and counter air and offensive air support operations. About 1000 personnel and 40 aircraft participated in the exercise.

Exercise Crocodile Strike is a bilateral training activity in northern Australia involving approximately 80 personnel, drawn from the ADF and the US Marines. Held in August 2017, the exercise focused on interoperability and cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenarios, including the delivery of small community-focused projects to the remote community Warruwi on South Goulburn Island (about 300km east of Darwin).

The NT also plays a significant role supporting Operation RESOLUTE, including hosting Armidale‑class patrol boats, which are based at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. The operation focuses on maritime security threats including illegal maritime arrivals, people smuggling and terrorism; piracy, robbery and violence at sea; illegal fishing; compromise to bio-security; and protection of offshore oil and gas installations.

Force Posture Initiatives

The presence of the US Marines across the NT plays a vital role in underwriting security and stability across the Indo-Pacific, and the Force Posture initiatives are an essential component in preserving stability and security over the coming decades.

The Force Posture initiatives also demonstrate the importance of the NT as a strategic location for regional security. First announced in 2011, the initiatives in Australia currently involve two key elements: annual six-monthly rotational deployment of US Marines, and a program of Enhanced Aircraft Cooperation activities. These rotations see US Marines at Robertson Barracks for six months each year, around April to September, to conduct joint military exercises and training with the ADF.

The enhanced aircraft cooperation initiative involves an extension of long-standing bilateral activities, building on US Marine visits for exercising and training. This initiative is an important element of the Australia-US alliance and is an expression of Australia’s support for a strong US presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and supports the common interest in promoting regional security and stability. For more information please refer to the Commonwealth’s Department of Defence website.

The 2017 rotation was a milestone for the initiatives, demonstrating the ongoing commitment Australia and the US have to achieving the objectives of the Force Posture initiatives. The 2017 rotation consisted of about 1,250 US Marines and an aircraft combat element of 13 aircraft. During the six-month rotation, the US Marines undertook several joint exercises and activities with the ADF across northern Australia, which provided an opportunity to interact with a range of countries including China, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. As part of the 2017 rotation, for the first time the US Marines and ADF exercised as a combined force to determine how they would deploy humanitarian and disaster relief assistance on land and sea to a remote location through Exercise Crocodile Strike.

The 2018 rotation commenced in March 2018 and is expected to involve around 1,400 US Marines. An update for the 2018 rotation will be available following the completion of the rotation.

NT Defence and National Security Strategy 2018

The release of the 2018 Defence and National Security Strategy reinforces the NT as being a key defence and national security hub, and the primary centre for maintenance and sustainment of facilities and assets deployed to the region. The strategy outlines key focus areas to support a strong defence and national security presence in the NT, and enhance opportunity in the industry as part of developing northern Australia.

Defence and National Security Advocate

The NT Government appointed a former senior Air Vice Marshal, Margaret Staib as the NT’s first Defence and National Security Advocate in June 2017. Ms Staib is the Chair of the NT Strategic Defence Advisory Board, which comprises leading Defence and industry experts to assist the NT increase engagement with defence and national security agencies. Ms Staib’s role will be to position the NT to benefit from $20 billion of Defence construction projects which are planned for the NT over the next 20 years and to maximise opportunities from other Defence investments.

Defence housing

In 2016-17, Defence Housing Australia (DHA) managed 1,950 properties in the NT, reflecting a 5.1% decline compared to the previous year. This was below the 10‑year average number of properties in the NT of 2,388 (Chart 4). The NT comprised about 10.3% of the total number of DHA properties across Australia. Of the properties in the NT, about 81% were located in Darwin, with the remainder in Tindal and Alice Springs.

As well as managing houses, DHA also managed a number of townhouses and high-rise apartments located within close proximity to Darwin city. Properties in the region accommodated members working at a number of ADF bases and establishments, including RAAF Base Darwin, Larrakeyah Barracks and RAAF Base Tindal.

The number of DHA‑managed properties in the NT is expected to remain at current levels over the medium term, driven by a significant defence workforce and a number of residential developments in the NT that will improve the quality of DHA’s dwelling stock as well as increase housing supply in the NT’s residential property market. In December 2017, DHA completed 80 new dwellings at the RAAF Base Darwin for occupation by defence personnel and their families.

DHA projects in the NT currently underway or expected to commence in the coming years include:

ongoing expansion of the suburb of Muirhead for completion in June 2018, which is expected to result in 1,184 dwelling lots, of which around 305 properties will be built by DHA and occupied by defence members and their families; and
development of the former radar facility site, Number 2 Control and Reporting Unit located near Lee Point and Muirhead North, which is expected to result in about 800 residential lots, of which 30% will be allocated for defence members.

In addition to the proposed new residential works, DHA is continuing to make significant investments in its existing defence dwelling stock in the NT. DHA committed to a $300 million program to upgrade and replace on-base housing to meet the minimum housing standard required by defence. While improving the properties to provide a better standard of living for ADF members and their families, the upgrade program will also extend the life-span of these homes by 10 to 15 years. In June 2017, DHA completed upgrades to about 20 houses in Alice Springs and 29 houses in Katherine.

For more information on defence housing and accommodation, please refer to the Defence Housing Australia website.

Economic Development Framework

As part of the NT Government’s Economic Development Framework, Defence was identified as one of the NT sectors expected to experience strong demand over the short to medium-term, which is likely to influence private sector investment and employment opportunities in the NT. Through the Economic Summits process, the NT Government together with key stakeholders and industries identified main determinants and high level actions to strengthen and maintain a robust defence presence in the NT and improve on defence services provided.

For more information on the NT’s key growth sectors, please refer to the NT Government Economic Development Framework website.

Explanatory notes

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not classify defence as a separate industry for reporting purposes in the national accounts, however it is reported against a number of industries and is predominantly included in the ‘public administration and safety’ industry. Defence personnel numbers are also excluded from the ABS labour force statistics, for reporting purposes.

References to defence refer to the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force (ADF), collectively. Data for defence personnel and housing is sourced from defence and Defence Housing Authority (DHA) annual reports.

DefenceNT also provides useful information and sources to Defence and related industry. DefenceNT is an advocate for the NT Government, which works to support defence, the defence community, and businesses and industries that support defence, and aims to provide opportunities and increase industry engagement, business development and employment in the NT. A representative of the unit is also located in Canberra.