On Monday, Australia launched its most significant military reorganisation in decades. Focussing the armed services on deterring potential adversaries distant from its borders.
Defence Minister Richard Marles sketched a future in which Australia would have far longer-range strike capabilities. Saying the decades-old territory-focused strategy was “no longer fit for purpose.”
In the face of a more belligerent China, he stated that Australia will change its focus to deterring adversaries before they reach its shores – at sea, in the air, and online.
“Today, for the first time in 35 years,” Marles remarked. “we are recasting the mission of the Australian Defence Force.”
According to the defence ministry’s long-awaited strategic assessment. Beijing’s military buildup is now the largest and most ambitious of any country since World War II.
“This build-up is occurring without transparency or reassurance to the Indo-Pacific region of China’s strategic intent.” The evaluation stated, referring to the Asia-Pacific region.
Australia’s plan to build nuclear submarines
“China’s assertion of sovereignty over the South China Sea endangers the Indo-Pacific’s global rules-based order in ways that harm Australia’s national interests.”
Australia has previously acknowledged the building of stealthy long-range nuclear-powered submarines as a crucial component of its new strategy.
On that foundation, the Australian Defence Force will acquire long-range missile strike capabilities, both air and land-based.
This year, the navy’s surface combatant fleet will undergo a brief independent evaluation. To verify that its size, structure, and composition suit the capabilities afforded by the new nuclear-powered submarines.
The Australian army will focus more sharply on coastal defence, particularly along the country’s vast north.
As a result, a plan to purchase 450 infantry fighting vehicles will be scaled back to just 129.
Australian military planners have viewed China’s military rise warily, fearing that Beijing’s now-vast capabilities could effectively cut Australia off trading partners and global supply chains.
The return of major power strategic competition between China and the United States “should be seen as the defining feature of our region and time”, the review said.
