Originally Posted by
tartare
Manus wouldn't last hours in a conflict with the CCP. Not without significant defensive investment including well-equipped infantry. A proper defensive commitment of a forward base such as Manus, would take up a considerable amount of ADF resources.
In WW2 Australia sacrificed many troops with token defence of forward bases throughout the Indonesian and New Guinea archipelagos. I think defence planners know these problems still present in modern conflict in the Pacific. Lombrum may get a token upgrade- anything more and the US Navy has obviously decided it figures more in their war plans than a peacetime forward refuelling base.