Defence strategic review warns new threats require a reshaping of military capacity
Defence force must be more focused on maritime and amphibious missions
It recommends purchasing more missiles, fewer vehicles; and bolstering northern bases
Defence spending will rise above 2pc of GDP over the next decade
Governments must stop relying on the military to help out in natural disasters as it is detracting from the capacity of the Australian Defence Force’s primary objective of defending Australia, the Defence Strategic Review says.
Amid an increasing dependence on using the armed forces to help with bushfires, floods and even during the COVID-19 pandemic with aged care and vaccine distribution, the review says Commonwealth, state and local governments need a different arrangement “to deal with all but the most extreme domestic disaster preparations”.
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Phillip Coorey is the political editor based in Canberra. He is a two-time winner of the Paul Lyneham award for press gallery excellence. Connect with Phillip on Facebook and Twitter. Email Phillip at pcoorey@afr.com
