A US nuclear-powered submarine has pulled into Darwin Harbour, with authorities keeping the high-value vessel under close wraps from the public eye.

On Thursday morning, the USS Minnesota, escorted by a couple of tug boats, was seen passing through Darwin Harbour towards East Arm.

It is understood the USS Minnesota cruised to northern Australia directly from Perth, where it was docked at HMAS Stirling last month.

Last week, the NT Government issued a ‘notice to mariners’, warning local boaties the waters surrounding East Arm Wharf would be closed due to a joint US navy and ADF operation which runs until April 3.

Australia has welcomed the 14th rotation of the United States Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) to the Northern Territory, marking another milestone in the long-standing defence partnership between the two nations.

Approximately 2,500 US Marines and sailors will take part in combined training operations with the ADF and regional partners throughout this rotation. The program will see participation in major exercises across Australia and the Indo-Pacific, including Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025.

Talisman Sabre, Australia’s largest military exercise since World War II, will involve participation from 19 nations.

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 US Navy ship has docked in Darwin, with hundreds of sailors expected to explore the Top End during the routine stopover aimed at enhancing relations between the two allies.

Complete with a barbershop, retro diner, post office, corner store, dentist, and emergency operating theatre, USS Emory S. Land serves as a floating city wherever she is deployed.

“Our mission is to repair, rearm, and resupply deployed submarines and surface ships, both of US and our partner navies,” Captain Brent Spillner said.

“Two thirds of our crew works in the repair department, so maintenance specialists such as welders, electricians, and we’ve also got a very capable weapons department – we’ve got the ability to reload torpedoes, mines, missiles.

“We are self contained, we could go into a very austere, remote port and still provide the same services a ship would have if it were in a major port.”

“Darwin basically marks the midway point for our current secondment. This represents a massive milestone for us in terms of an opportunity to demonstrate all the skills we have, and really be able to contribute to the operation of the ship.”

An American warship is pulling into Darwin with a view to enhance US– Australian relations, with crewmen expected to roam the city in the coming days.

It was also confirmed members of the Royal Australian Navy were on-board the Emory S. Land to develop their knowledge, skills and experience in how their American counterparts conducted nuclear-powered submarine maintenance.

The arrangement to offer submarine-related training to ADF personnel follows Australia’s commitment to bringing into service multiple nuclear-powered Virginia class submarines, expected to patrol Australian waters as early as the 2030s.

The arrival of Emory S. Land coincides with the ramped up military activity currently underway across the Top End, with ADF and Marine Rotation Force – Darwin, integrating at Mount Bundey Training Area.