Australia and the United States have strengthened joint military capability with the completion of the Marksmanship Training Range at Kangaroo Flats Training Area near Darwin.
“The new range supports a variety of weapons platforms and activities, delivering enhanced training outcomes for the Australian Defence Force and its partners, particularly the United States," Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil, stated.
“This investment reinforces our enduring alliance with the United States, creating new opportunities for joint training and collaboration that enhance capability and interoperability.”
The training range was delivered under the $747 million United States Force Posture Initiatives Northern Territory Training Areas and Ranges Project. The new $46.1 million facility will enable marksmanship training for both nations, supporting a wide range of operational scenarios.
“Marksmanship is a core soldier skill and this new range will enable its mastery by both Australian and United States’ soldiers," Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs & Northern Australia, Luke Gosling, said.
“This new training facility will provide world-class marksmanship training and increase both interoperability with our partners and military preparedness."
The range will feature 24 firing lanes with fixed and moving targets extending to 600 metres, and eight sniper lanes capable of reaching 1100 metres. It will also support vehicle-mounted firing and night-vision training.
“I welcome this investment in the electorate of Lingiari and the impact this investment will have on national security," Federal Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, commented.
“Building our defensive capabilities in the Northern Territory has a benefit to local communities, but also works to safeguard our strategic interests."
The new Marksmanship Training Range is part of a broader upgrade initiative across four Defence training areas in the Northern Territory, with the full project scheduled for completion by mid-2026.
The upgrades will reinforce networked and resilient base infrastructure in northern Australia, boosting the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to deter potential adversaries and deepen international defence cooperation.