Australian military officials gave a clue just how much the U.S. military will increase its presence in the region.
Not only will at least 2,500 U.S. forces be based in Darwin, Australia, but the U.S. Navy will be allowed to use their naval port at Perth.
Asian media pointing out that all the locations the U.S. will be allowed to operate from in Australia, face China, India and Southeast Asia.
Michael Wesley, at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, says Darwin is just outside the reach of Chinese ICBMs.
The Australian government has also revealed that the U.S. could be allowed to operate terror drones from the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean.