Overview

• Defence confirmed MV-22s will remain in northern Australia after the 14th Marine Rotational Force–Darwin deployment concludes this year.
• Officials said the arrangement will cut transport costs and remove repeated import processing burdens on border agencies.
• Canberra did not disclose how many aircraft will be stored or maintained in country.
• The move falls under the US–Australia Force Posture Agreement, with Brigadier Mick Say describing it as a deepening of defence cooperation.
• Forward positioning builds on a decade of MRF-D growth and offers quicker regional responsiveness, while Australia is not acquiring the platform and safety concerns from past incidents remain noted.