China is the focus of Australia's new defense strategy

The regional dynamics this time are perhaps the toughest that Australia has faced in the last 70 years.

AFP/JIM WATSON

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left), President Joe Biden (center), and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (right) explained about the AUKUS agreement at the US Navy Base Point Loma, San Diego, on Monday (13/3/2023).

CANBERRA, WEDNESDAY — Australia launches a new defense strategy that will increase engagement further into the Indo region -Pacific. In the National Defense Strategy, Australia indicated a new focus on countering China's "coercive tactics" in the region.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles announced the new 80-page strategy in Canberra, Wednesday (17/4/2024). As a consequence of the new strategy, Australia will increase spending on major defense systems to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product in the next 10 years, reaching 330 billion Australian dollars.

In the document, the Australian Government assesses the security situation in the Pacific region to be bleak. "Optimistic assumptions about the regional situation that formed the basis of Australia's post-Cold War security defense strategy three decades ago can no longer be maintained," said Marless.

Also read: Finding Australia's Indo-Pacific Strategy

COURTESY: THE ECONOMIST

AUKUS Graphics

As an island nation, Marless stated that Australia relies on trade and maritime life. Therefore, the country cannot sit idly by and ignore the dynamics in the region. The new national defense strategy is aimed at ensuring that peace, security, and prosperity remain safeguarded.

The main focus of the National Defense Strategy also projects military strength further into the Asia Pacific, not limited to the territory of Australia. "Our national security geography does not lie on the continent's coastline. It lies further away," said Marless, quoted from Australian media outlet, ABC.

He added that Australia would focus on building deterrence power to protect the country's interests. Marless opened up the discourse of a potential invasion of Australia by foreign powers, although not directly. "An invasion of Australia is an unlikely possibility in any scenario, precisely because so much damage an enemy could inflict on our country without ever setting foot on Australian soil," he said.

Also read: Reading the US-Japan-Philippines Trilateral

The Australian Armed Forces (ADF) will later make the navy more powerful and deadly in its weapons. The ground forces also have powerful combat capabilities on the coast (littoral operations), while the Air Force also has powerful strengths. Likewise, cyber defense and the ability to master space technology are integrated in all dimensions.

The improvement of the armed forces' defense equipment capability is also a priority, including the ownership of nuclear-powered submarines and the development and acquisition of long-range weapon systems such as ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Military bases in the northern region will be strengthened. Defense industry innovation and supporting industries are also being enhanced.

ANTARA FOTO/M RISYAL HIDAYAT

A number of Australian defense forces and several other countries lined up on the deck of the Australian warship HMAS Canberra's helicopter as they entered Jakarta waters on Saturday (18/5/2019).

Negative

In response to Australia's new National Defense Strategy, China stated that it does not "pose threats" to any country. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, urged Australia to restrain itself from expressing negative views on various actions and policies of China in the region.

"We hope that Australia can properly see the development and strategic intentions of China, leaving behind Cold War mentalities, doing more to maintain regional peace and stability," said Lin.

Also read: SEANWFZ, AUKUS and the Growing Gray Space

Lam Tran, the Chairman of the Australian Studies Program at the CSIS based in Washington, said that this change is a long road for the Australian Labor Party government after winning the election in 2022. The change happened after considering China's various actions in the region, which were deemed aggressive in expanding its influence.

Australia views China's actions as disrupting the stability and security in the region, which is on Australia's doorstep. "With this change, Australia aims to contribute more to regional security and stability," he said.

JUSTIN STACK/DVIDS U.S. NAVY VIA AP

A photo taken on August 27, 2021 shows three warships belonging to the navies of Japan, India, and Australia patrolling together in the joint military exercise Malabar 2021.

According to Tran, the administration of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sees the current dynamics in the region as possibly the heaviest Australia has faced in the last 70 years. Specifically, Tran mentions China's expanding influence in the region as well as the strategic competition between the United States and China.

Military shopping

This change in defense strategy will automatically have an impact on increasing Australian military spending in the next decade. The largest portion, as much as 145 billion Australian dollars or 40 percent, is allocated for spending on weapons systems and improving the capacity of naval personnel, including for nuclear-powered submarines within the framework of the AUKUS cooperation and the Ghost Shark underwater drone.

AAP IMAGE VIA AP/LUKAS COCH

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) approached Chinese President Xi Jinping when he was received by Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on Monday (November 6, 2024).

One-fifth of the budget will be used for purchasing medium-range and long-range missiles. Quoting ABC News, Australia also plans to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States. The Ministry of Defense revised the budget originally intended for the purchase of one squadron of F-35 fighter jets to complement the existing fleet.

Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated that the F-18 Super Hornet fighter jet, which has been in service since 2007, will have its working period extended until at least 2030. "We have decided to maintain the Super Hornet for two reasons: first, they have done a good job and second, the Joint Strike Fighter is even more capable than we previously estimated," he said. (AP/Reuters)