Defence investing in hardware for war on terror

AUSTRALIA will fast- track its spending on military hardware, including an increased presence on offshore counterterrorism operations, as it seeks to develop its “deter and defeat” strategy.

But the biggest winner will be the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year with an array of military technology to be rolled out to make it, and the preceding baton relay, one of the safest ever.

Yesterday’s Budget has recommitted Australian troops to its various overseas operations with significant money allocations particularly for Operation Okra in Iraq, and also possibly now Syria, with an extra $ 100 million to secure that region for the future.

A commitment was also made closer to home with Defence assistance increases this year in the South Pacific countries, notably Papua New Guinea and Timor.

The Defence budget overall will be grown to 2 per cent of GDP by 2020- 21, three years earlier than initially forecast but in line with a pledge Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made last year to US President Donald Trump as part of a regional defence strategy.

Mr Trump has been urging allies to commit to a minimum 2 per cent of GDP defence spend, particularly if their own defence strategies were part reliant on US military assistance, which under Mr Trump was looking to a significant military build- up.

Defence Minister Marise Payne said yesterday the Budget had shown the ongoing commitment to overseas deployment of about 3200 personnel, notably in the Middle East, which she said was in line with Australia’s overall strategy of defeating terrorism.

The Budget reveals the current Australian Defence Force strength of 59,194 personnel was still below targets but more flexible work arrangements and career options had meant numbers were not falling, allowing for a greater build- up.

This year was branded as the year more focus was to be made on personnel welfare, training and recruitment.