THE US Navy is considering increasing its presence in the Top End, a move that could see US ships based in Darwin. Neither the Territory’s ­Defence Industry minister nor the Australian Navy commented on the US plans. The Australian Navy also did not respond to questions about the US Navy’s plans, ­including whether nuclear-powered ships would enter the harbour, or whether public consultation would take place over an increased US Navy presence in Darwin.

He described the Marines’ presence in Darwin as being key to the US military’s operations in the Pacific. “It’s a big deal and a big part of our alliance in the Asia-Pacific,” he said. “We’re working towards a marine unit to be working out of Darwin by the next decade.”

A UNITED States sailor accused of raping a woman in Darwin allegedly admitted the crime and told the victim he attempted suicide in a private message on social media, prosecutors have said. Hugh Patrick Malone, 23, has denied an allegation that he “digitally” raped a woman — within hours of having sex with her friend — during a dodgy night out on Darwin’s party strip in September, 2013. His lawyer Tom Berkley told a the NT Supreme Court jury victim’s claim was a “case of regret, not rape”. He urged the jury to “pay close attention to the relationship the girls and sailors had built up”. Crown prosecutor Matthew Nathan said the accused messaged the woman on facebook after the crime. He apologised and said what he did was wrong. She replied: “You forced yourself on me.” Malone allegedly wrote to the woman: “I tried to rape you, I tried to kill myself.”

The court is closed to the public while the victim gives evidence. The jury heard she and two friends hit the clubs every night Malone’s ship USS Denver was in town to “meet sailors”. The victim reportedly hooked up with another sailor who will give evidence at the trial via video link. Malone and his “liberty buddy” had met the victim and her friends several times at city bars and organised to catch up at Monsoons nightclub, on Mitchell St, on September 4. Malone hired a room at Melaleuca Lodge where he had sex with one of the women. The pair returned to the club before Malone hit on the victim, Mr Nathan said. She said no. Malone allegedly invited the woman to come and “check out of the room” with him as he had to get back to the ship. “Her intention was to move on to spend the night with (her partner) who was staying at the Value Inn,” Mr Nathan said. He said the woman was confused when she saw Malone’s room was empty. He allegedly pulled her inside and shut the door, kissing her “roughly” despite her protests. Mr Nathan said Malone held down the woman on the bed and sexually assaulted her. The jury heard he stopped and apologised when she began to cry. The trial continues.

USA war planes including the eight-engine bombers and fast fighter jets will operate from RAAF Base Darwin and Tindal. The NT is set to be pounded by the world’s oldest and most destructive heavy bomber - the legendary B-52 Stratofortress - under the 25-year “force posture agreement” signed by US Secretary of State John Kerry, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister David Johnston during the annual AUSM talks Sydney today.

The 1950s era B-52 is the oldest aircraft in the US air force inventory and is at the leading edge of its strategic nuclear strike capability. The aircraft can carry nuclear warheads to targets anywhere on earth.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Australia for the annual Australia-United States Ministerial (AUSMIN) talks, which start on Tuesday.

Senator Kerry will be joined by US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, Ms Bishop and Australian Defence Minister David Johnston. The four leaders will sign the Force Posture Agreement, which was reached by US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Tony Abbott earlier this year. The agreement sets out the framework for an increased presence of US marines in Darwin. It will alos allow the US to expand military assets over the next 25 years in Australia

THE United States will be able to build permanent military facilities on Australian soil and expand to locations across the country under a deal struck between Tony Abbott and Barack Obama. The deal – which initially covers up to 2500 US forces rotating through Darwin but can be expanded – will allow the US to bring warships, planes and troops to Australia. New bases can be set up across the country and the number of troops increased without limit over 25 years under the deal, senior US officials confirmed. A spokeswoman for Tony Abbott said the latest deal was not about increasing Marines in Darwin beyond the agreed 2500 by 2017, or creating bases. Rather, she said, it was about “logistical, cost-sharing and legal arrangements underpinning the rotational presences of US forces in Northern Australia (and) sets out a framework for consultation on how the force posture initiatives will be implemented as it moves forward to full maturity”.

Treasurer Joe Hockey, pressed as to why the NT gets so little infrastructure funding compared to the rest of the country, pointed to plans to "spend quite a bit of money in providing facilities for the American marine base here in the Territory,"