Missile defence, cyber regiment flagged in massive ADF increase

80,000 Australians will be called to arms in our defence force by 2040 under Scott Morrison’s massive push to boost the ADF. See the PM’s plan revealed here.

An “increasingly uncertain” world has led Prime Minster Scott Morrison to announce a massive 30 per cent increase in ADF numbers over the next two decades, including the creation of a regiment dedicated to information warfare.

The increase, which will cost an estimated $38 billion over the next two decades, represents a significant increase from the growth flagged in a 2020 Defence Force Structure Plan and will enhance the country’s warfighting capabilities not just on land and sea but in space and the virtual world as well.

It will also push the number of uniformed defence personnel from 60,000 to nearly 80,000 and the total ADF workforce to over 100,000 by 2040.

Scott Morrison and defence Minister Peter Dutton receive a briefing regarding the Army’s flood assistance from Brigadier Michael Say. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

It is understood that the extra personnel will also help build redundancy into the force and support everything from intelligence acquisition to computing and computer infrastructure.

The decision to grow the ADF has been under consideration since the 2020 Force Structure Plan, and was agreed to by the National Security Committee last November, before the current crisis in Ukraine.

While 12,500 additional positions were recommended to maintain a minimum baseline of capability, several thousand more uniformed and non-uniformed personnel were agreed upon to meet evolving threats in the region.

Members of the RAAF’s No. 462 Squadron conduct training during the Cyberspace Incident Analyst Course at DSTO Edinburgh, South Australia. Picture: Supplied

Along with the information warfare regiment, the increased forces will help establish integrated air and missile defence capabilities, sovereign space satellite and ground control capabilities, and expand the country’s ability to conduct and deter electronic warfare.

The Daily Telegraph also understands that force numbers may increase further as nuclear submarines come online as part of the AUKUS arrangement.

The new submarines will replace the Royal Australian Navy's existing Collins submarine fleet. Picture: POIS Yuri Ramsey/Australian Defence Force via Getty Images

“The first priority of my Government is keep Australians safe and to do that we need a bigger ADF with more soldiers, sailors and airmen and women to operate the cutting-edge capabilities we’re getting to protect Australia,” the Prime Minister said.

“Our world is becoming increasingly uncertain so it’s important we take steps now to protect our people and our national interest over the coming decades.

“You can’t flick a switch to increase your army, navy and air force overnight, growing the type of people and skills we need to face the threats of the future takes time, so we must start now so critical skills can be taught and experience gained.

“ADF personnel will be increased in every state and territory with a particular focus on capabilities associated with our trilateral security partnership between Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS), as well as air, sea, land, space and cyber.”