British soldiers based in Australia could be part of the next step to bringing the two military forces closer together.

UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said stationing British troops in Darwin, where US marines have a presence, was "not impossible" as his nation looked to expand its influence in the Pacific.

"It comes up quite regularly in conversation about what the Aussies and the US are doing up there and whether we should be there too," he said.

The minister said the UK was still in a discovery phase in the Pacific and military deployments to Australia were a better option than basing British troops on more contested territories in the region. He said the UK was working careful to expand its presence in the Pacific with concerns moving too fast or being too heavy handed might do more harm than good by alienating partner nations.

The Northern Territory facility that gained national prominence as the "gold standard" for quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic will be used to house thousands of troops form both Australia and overseas under a new lease agreement struck by the federal and NT governments.

The 3,500 bed former COVID-19 quarantine facility will be used to house thousands of military personnel from Australia and overseas under a new five-year deal between the federal and NT governments.

The first large cohort to be housed at the facility — 1,300 troops from Australia and international partner nations taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre — is due to arrive later this month.

"The importance of this facility is it will take pressure of the local accommodation market during a crucial time for the NT tourism season, and that will ensure that there's more beds for tourists to come to."

The Territory government has begun discussions with the Defence Department about the possible deployment of long range missiles in the Top End.

Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast in Darwin this week, NT Major Projects Commissioner Jason Schoolmeester said the government had begun talks with the commonwealth about potential locations for the rollout.

Announced as part of the Defence Strategic Review released in April, Canberra plans to spend $4.1bn to acquire more long-range strike systems and a missile manufacturing capacity.

Its shopping list includes $1.6bn for long-range strike capabilities including speeding-up the delivery of extra high mobility artillery rocket systems — HIMARS — and the precision strike missiles — PRISM.

It’s hoping the HIMARS, which have a range of up to 300km, will be in place by 2026-27.

Defence plans to spend $2.5bn for guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise as part of its proposed $19bn commitment over the next five years to meeting the review’s priorities.

MRF-D Commanding Officer Colonel Brendan Sullivan said the three-week training program was an incredibly important part of humanitarian aid preparation.

He said Exercise Crocodile Response was one of up to eight named exercises the contingent would practise during its deployment.

“The reality is the most likely mission we’ll confront – if history is any indicator – is disaster relief,” Colonel Sullivan said.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to do it alongside our ADF partners, and to start with a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise, I think sends a strong message that it’s something very, very important to us.”

The exercise is one of many that troops from the US, Indonesia, and Australia will take part in as part of humanitarian aid and disaster relief training for Exercise Crocodile Response 2023.

Darwin resident Sue lives on the fringe of a PFAS contamination zone and is one of the 30,000 Australians involved in a class action against the Defence Department.

"Residents have been trapped on contaminated land for years," Shine Lawyers' head of class actions Craig Allsopp said.

"They are unable to sell their properties or enjoy simple freedoms like running the tap for a glass of water or to bathe their children.

"Toxicology reports point to PFAS levels in the eight areas of investigation being dangerously high. It's time the government showed some accountability."

"It shouldn't be denial. It should be taking ownership of it, dealing with it and rectifying, and paying people out that need the money for medical bills and their properties."