Peace out: Australia in $270b defence build to ‘prevent war’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Wednesday declare the security enjoyed by the world since the fall of the Berlin Wall is gone, as Australia flexes $270 billion in military might to prevent war.
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AUSTRALIA will invest $270 billion over the next decade in a drastic bid to deter attack on Australia and prevent war, as it takes a dramatic step toward projecting military power and flexing its muscle in the Pacific.
It includes $800 million on long-range missiles, up to $9.3 billion in developing hi-tech 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.
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In a notable shift, Australia is stepping up it’s 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 long-range 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 India-China border and across the Indo-Pacific, the risk of miscalculation and even conflict is rising.
“The simple truth is this. Even as we stare down the COVID world that is poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly,” he will say.
“Now, we must face the reality that we have moved into a new and less benign strategic era.”
He will call out rising disinformation and foreign interference, without naming specific countries, but note the growing conflict between the world’s two super powers.
“Relations between China and the United States are fractious as they compete for political, economic and technological supremacy,” Mr Morrison will say.
He says the defensive capabilities Australia currently have are not enough to deter attacks against the nation and stronger capabilities are needed.
“Capabilities that can hold potential adversaries’ forces and critical infrastructure at risk from a distance, thereby deterring an attack on Australia and helping to prevent war,” he will say.
“We will also increase our investment in intelligence, under sea surveillance and cyber capabilities to enhance our situational awareness.”
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 anti-ship missile is a stealth weapon, 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 WWII, which will including 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 developing hypersonic weapons.
The US, Russia and China have been in a race to develop the hi-tech weapons, which can travel at least five-times the speed of sound and are almost impossible to intercept.
Land forces will also receive $55 billion over the next decade, including more long-range rockets and artillery systems.