US pours millions into Andersen Air Force Base as Guam becomes a fortress in Pacific standoff
September 2, 2025
From barracks to new communication centres to one of the world’s most formidable air defence networks, the US is building up its infrastructure on Guam. At the same time, it appears there is no space left for Singapore to deploy its F-15s on the island.
US DoD announces investments in Guam’s infrastructure
As the United States and China deepen their confrontation in the East Pacific, the United States is upgrading the infrastructure on its keystone Andersen Air Force base on the island of Guam.
On 28th August, the Pacific Daily News reported that the Department of Defense had announced five contracts worth $88 million during the last week.
These are for upgrading various aspects of the bases, with around $34 million going to repair and upgrade barracks. A separate $37 million contract was also signed to renovate another dormitory.
On 1st September, the Defense Post reported the DoD had awarded a $211 million contract to build a new communications centre at Andersen AFB. The project will be funded in stages and is set to be completed by March 2030.
Guam’s rapidly expanding air defence
Perhaps the most significant development underway in Guam is the development of the island’s $8 billion 360-degree air defence. Guam is becoming one of the most heavily defended pieces of real estate in the world.
China has invested in many ballistic missiles capable of hitting Guam and destroying assets like F-35s on the ground. Meanwhile, the lead Chinese fighter, the J-20, has been designed with the stealth and range needed to take out F-35 enablers like tankers and AWACS aircraft.
With next-generation fighter jets, both the United States and China are seeking more range. This is both to overcome the tyranny of distance in the Pacific and to move assets further away from threats.
The Air Force’s F-47 and Navy’s F/A-XX are being designed with emphasis on increased range and less dependence on vulnerable enablers. China’s new three-engined tailless prototype fighter appears to have been designed with the range to threaten Guam.
What a line-up! ✈️ Aircraft from #AusAirForce, @USAF, @JASDF_PAO_ENG, @Armee_de_lair, and Republic of Korea Air Force participated in an elephant walk at 📍Andersen Air Force Base in Guam during Ex Cope North 24. #YourADF <1/2> pic.twitter.com/x52CICzhrN
— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) February 12, 2024
Guam is receiving an enhanced integrated missile defence system that will integrate radar tech and interceptor launches from across the US service branches. The system is to include Aegis Ashore, Patriots, THAAD, and more. The new LTAMDS radar is also being installed to boost the Patriot system.
Cancellation of basing Singapore’s fighter jets in Guam
Singapore is a small island city-state that enjoys close relations with the United States. It is one of a select number of non-NATO allies the United States has allowed to purchase the F-35 stealth fighter.
But the tiny size of Singapore means it has almost no space for military exercises or places to disperse its air force. Singapore has deployed fighter jets and helicopters to the United States for training since the 1990s. It is simply impractical for the Singapore Air Force to conduct complex exercises in its own airspace.
Singapore also periodically deployed a fighter jet detachment on Guam between the 1990s and 2019. In 2019, the US and Singapore reached an agreement for Singapore to establish a permanent presence there for Singapore’s F-15s at Andersen Air Force Base by 2029.
However, the two countries recently scrapped the plans, citing environmental impacts. According to The Diplomat, a leading consideration for Singapore was likely that it doesn’t want to place its air force in the crosshairs of the Sino-US competition. It wants to stay neutral in the new Cold War.
Meanwhile, for the US, Guam offers limited space, and it is redeploying more and more forces to the island while upgrading the island’s infrastructure. Overcrowding of the island may have been a top factor for the US to scrap the deal.
