PM fires $270b shot in huge defence build-up
AUSTRALIA will invest $270 billion over the next decade in a drastic bid to deter attacks on Australia and prevent war, as it takes a dramatic step toward projecting military power and flexing its muscles in the Pacific.
It includes $800 million on long-range missiles, up to $9.3 billion in developing hitech hypersonic weapons, and recruiting another 800 military personnel.
As China becomes increasingly assertive in the Pacific, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will release the new Defence White Paper today, in what will be the most significant national security development in four years.
In a notable shift, Australia is stepping up its ability – and willingness – to project military power and deter actions against it, as well as respond to threats with military force if required.
The largely peaceful security environment since the fall of the Berlin Wall “is gone”, the Prime Minister will say.
The investment in longrange missiles will go towards addressing what has been described as a “lack of credibility” in Australia’s strike capability. Mr Morrison will today warn that as tensions rise over the South China Sea, the IndiaChina border and across the Indo-pacific, the risk of miscalculation and even conflict is rising.
“We must face the reality that we have moved into a new and less benign strategic era,” he will say.
He will call out rising disinformation and foreign interference, without naming specific countries, but note the growing conflict between the world’s two superpowers.
“Relations between China and the United States are fractious as they compete for political, economic and technological supremacy,” Mr Morrison will say.
He will say the defensive capabilities Australia has are not enough to deter attacks.
“We will also increase our investment in intelligence, undersea surveillance and cyber capabilities to enhance our situational awareness,” he will say.
The $270 billion spend over a decade is up from the $195 billion outlaid in the last Defence White Paper in 2016.
It includes $800 million on AGM-158C long-range antiship missiles capable of travelling 370km – triple the range of Australia’s current missiles.
There will be $75 billion splashed out on maritime capabilities in the biggest regeneration of the navy since World War II, which will include acquisition of new vessels and undersea surveillance systems. Another $65 billion will go towards air defence, including $17 billion for new fighter aircraft and up to $9.3 billion on hypersonic weapons. Land forces will also receive $55 billion over the next decade.