As the US prepares to increase its military presence across northern Australia, a Darwin-based policy expert is urging the next Northern Territory government to land a “fair and reasonable deal” with the Commonwealth ahead of the arrival of American firepower.

The appeal comes after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared the US would deploy more personnel and combat aircraft to northern Australia amid escalating tension across the Indo-Pacific region.

“We’re also increasing the presence of rotational US forces in Australia, and all this will mean more maritime patrol aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft operating from bases across northern Australia,” Mr Austin told a press conference in Maryland.

“It will also mean more frequent rotational bomber deployments.”

While Mr Austin did not specify how many personnel or assets would arrive to Australia – or when – the announcement was met with enthusiasm by Solomon MP Luke Gosling, who said up to $18 billion would support the big move to the Territory.

A drunken British Royal Marine, who copped a face full of pepper spray after launching himself at a police officer who was arresting his colleague following a night out at Monsoons, has avoided a conviction.

Luis Estuardo McQuade pleaded guilty in the Darwin Local Court on Wednesday to assaulting, resisting and hindering police after the bibulous “moment of madness” in the early hours of August 5.

Prosecutor Brittany Stone told the court McQuade was celebrating the end of his deployment with colleagues at Monsoons when he became intoxicated and was removed by security “as a result of his behaviour”.

After an NT Police senior constable arrested one of his friends, Ms Stone said the 26-year-old ran straight at the officer, put both his arms around his shoulders and neck and tried to pull him back.

“During the struggle with police (a constable) deployed pepper spray into the eyes of the defendant,” Ms Stone said.

US military activity will ramp up along the Northern Territory coastline, with more American bombers and fighter jets set to operate out of the Top End as early as next year, while long-range guided missiles will also be manufactured domestically in an effort to bolster the nation’s northern defences.

“We’re also increasing the presence of rotational US forces in Australia, and all this will mean more maritime patrol aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft operating from bases across northern Australia,” he said.

“It will also mean more frequent rotational bomber deployments.”

Deploying 16,000 US Marines to Darwin each year would be the cheapest way of deterring Australia’s potential enemies, a new report claims, urging a huge American influx to arrive in the Top End as early as 2025.

This week, a report released by the Institute of Public Affairs’ pitched six recommendations in how the next Australian government should improve national security.

“If agreed, this larger USMC presence should be made to happen within the next term of government, that is, 2025-28,” the report says.

Additionally, the report suggested the boost should come with “significant” firepower and aviation assets.

An Osprey crash in Australia that killed three Marines last August was caused by multiple pilot errors during a near mid-air collision, a military investigation has found. It also found that squadron leadership had permitted “a culture that disregarded safety of flight.”

The Australia accident exposed significant safety issues within the squadron. Investigators recommended punitive actions, including potential court martial charges for one senior squadron member and potential administrative actions against the squadron's former commanding officer, Lt. Col. Joe Whitefield, who they said “permitted a culture that disregarded safety of flight procedures."

Given the seriousness of the safety violations, investigators also recommended all Marine Corps Osprey squadrons schedule a temporary pause in flight operations, known as a standdown, to review this accident.