The U.S. military plans a war-ready stockpile in Australia to enhance operations and counter China's military expansion in the region.

The development of the stockpile, a first for the Marine Corps in Australia, comes as the United States is keen to leverage the continent's strategic location in the South Pacific to counter China's rapid military build-up, analysts said.

The weapons hub will store combat-ready equipment and supplies to improve US military responsiveness across the Asia-Pacific.

The weapons hub will store combat-ready equipment and supplies to improve US military responsiveness across the Asia-Pacific.