Australian Defence White Paper: $195b modernisation of military prepares ADF for regional instability
THE FEDERAL Government will embark on an unprecedented military expansion of our air, land, sea and intelligence capability to counter the rapid military build-up in Australia’s region.
THE FEDERAL Government will embark on an unprecedented military expansion of our air, land, sea and intelligence capability to counter the rapid military build-up in Australia’s region.
The highly anticipated Defence White Paper released this morning warned Australia risks losing its military superiority in the region with the expansion of Chinese forces throughout South East Asia.
In a sweeping upgrade of the nation’s Defence Force, the government will increase its defence budget by $29.9 billion over the next decade and increase personnel to 62,400 – the highest in more than 20 years.
Over ten years, $195 billion will be spent on land, sea, air, intelligence, surveillance and electronic warfare assets.
Australia’s upgraded military force will include new missile armed unmanned aircraft (drones) for troop protection and a new long range rocket and artillery program.
The Navy will double the submarine fleet from six to 12, including new regionally superior submarines to replace the outdated Collins class, nine new anti-submarine warfare frigates, 12 new offshore patrol vessels and 7 PA-8 Poseidon spy planes.
The airforce will have 72 F-35A Lightning II Joint strike fighters, 12 E/A-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft and new air to air, air to surface and anti-ship missile weapons.
The White Paper said the Defence Force will be better equipped to face growing unease in the region, including disputes over the South China Sea.
“The government will ensure Australian maintains a regionally superior ADF with the highest levels of military capability and scientific and technological sophistication,’’ it said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull launched the White Paper at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra this morning
In a joint statement, Mr Turnbull and Defence Minister Marise Payne said Australia needed to be prepared for potential instability in the region.
“In the period to 2035, Australia will have greater opportunities for prosperity and development, but it will also face greater uncertainty. We need to be prepared,’’ the statement said.
“The White Paper positions defence to respond to a broader range of security threats to Australians at home and abroad.”
“It is the culmination of detailed analysis of our strategic environment, our defence priorities and objectives and the capabilities require to achieve these outcomes.
“The White Paper recognises Australia’s security and prosperity is directly tied to the stability of our region and to the maintenance of a stable, rules based global order.”
Mr Turnbull said the new program had been fully costed and would be implemented in its entirety.
DEFENCE SPEND: WHERE THE MONEY WILL GO
● $195 billion to be spent over 10 years on land, sea, air, intelligence, surveillance and electronic warfare assets
Defence force budget spending to increase by $29.9 billion .
AIR STRIKE $34 billion
● 72 F-35A Lightning II Joint strike fighters
● 12 E/A-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft
● New air to air, air to surface and anti-ship missile weapons
● Integrated air and missile defence systems
LAND $35 billion
● New missile armed unmanned aircraft (drones) for troop protection
● New long range rocket and artillery program
● Attack helicopters
● Upgraded M1 Abrams battle tanks
● Fleet of light armed for river and estuarine battles
SEA $49 billion
● 12 new regionally superior submarines to replace Collins class
● Nine new anti-submarine warfare frigates
● 12 new offshore patrol vessels
● 7 PA-8 Poseidon spy planes bringing total to 15
● Tactical drones to assist war ship operations
● State of the art mine defence and countermeasures
● New land based anti-ship missile system
CYBER, INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, SPACE $18 billion
● 7 MQ4C Triton unmanned surveillance aircraft (drones)
● Upgrade of Jindalee over the horizon radar system
● Increased cyber defence capability
● Long range Gulfstream jets for electronic warfare
FORCE STRUCTURE
●Increase of 5000 new ADF personnel to strength of 62,400
$100k spent on Welcome to Country ceremonies
Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies are once again in the crosshairs of the Coalition, after new documents revealed more than $100,000 has been spent on the events.
Parramatta’s light rail stumbles out of the blocks
The opening month of the new $3 billion service has seen just 6300 passenger trips per day. This needs to more than triple in the next 12 months to meet internal government targets.