Defence Force to get new weapon power as China conflict risk rises
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to warn that the rise of China means the risk of conflict on Australia’s doorstep “is heightening”. Now the government is set to revamp the nation’s military strategy including spending $270 billion on longer-range missiles and even hypersonic weapons.
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Australia’s Defence Force will be equipped with longer range missiles and even hypersonic weapons as part of a significant restructure to fight back against Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Wednesday warn that the rise of China means “the risk of miscalculation — and even conflict — is heightening” on Australia’s doorstep.
This has prompted the Federal Government to revamp the nation’s military strategy so Defence is focused on shaping Australia’s strategic environment, deterring actions against our interests and responding with force when required.
A massive $270 billion will be spent on new and upgraded defence capabilities over the next decade, including anti-ship and land strike missiles that can cover thousands of kilometres from land as well as from Australian warships and fighter jets.
Tens of billions of dollars in new spending will be outlined by Mr Morrison on Wednesday as he reveals Australia’s new defence strategy for a “post-COVID world that is poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly”.
In a speech at the Australian Defence Force Academy, he will say Defence will be remodelled to ensure “we have credible capability to respond to any challenge in our immediate region”, rather than prioritising resources for military conflicts in other parts of the world.
Mr Morrison will challenge China by vowing to seek “an open, sovereign Indo-Pacific, free from coercion and hegemony”.
“We want a region where all countries, large and small, can engage freely with each other, guided by international rules and norms,” he will say.
“Where countries can pursue their own interests peacefully and without external interference.”
“The Indo-Pacific is where Australia has our greatest influence, and can make the most meaningful impact and contribution. It is also where our need is most pressing.”
Pointing to China’s actions in the South China Sea and on the disputed border with India, Mr Morrison will say the region is “the focus of the dominant global contest of our age”.
He will call out “coercive activities”, “disinformation and foreign interference” and unprecedented military modernisation as regional risks amid a “fractious” relationship between China and the United States.
“Australia has a highly effective, deployable and integrated military force,” Mr Morrison will say.
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