Australia announces spending shift

In a speech at the Australian Defence Force Academy, PM Morrison announced a significant shift in spending for the Australian military. He announced a $270B bill, that includes upgrades to all aspects of the Australian military. The bill includes $800M for LRASM, $75B to the Navy for upgrades in ASW, undersea and surface warfare, up to $7B for undersea surveillance, $65B to the RAAF for unmanned and manned aircraft, $55B on land based systems, up to $7B on space capabilities, and $50B in infrastructure upgrades to include RAAF base Tindal, which they want to use for B-52s.

Mr Morrison said in his speech that the "largely benign security environment" since the fall of the Berlin Wall is gone. He went on to talk about "grey zone" attacks, and strengthening ties with traditional allies as well as creating ties with new allies. He never explicitly said he was talking about China, but the countries mentioned make it clear that he was looking at them during the speech.

Long-range missiles, armed drones and anti-submarine warfare will form the bedrock of Australia’s new defence policy, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveils a record $270 billion military spending package that he says is vital to deter potential attacks and “prevent war”.

The taxpayer will spend $75 billion more over the next decade on Defence capability than was originally outlined by former PM Malcolm Turnbull in the 2016 Defence White Paper.

Mr Morrison will outline the record military funding in a speech at the Australian Defence Force Academy on Wednesday, as he warned of “a post-COVID world that is poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly.”

A central plank of the package will be $800 million to be spent to acquire the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), from the US.

thenewdaily.com.au...

Second source, with more breakdown.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Considering the level of threat the Australian's are under from Beijing, I am not surprised to see such a big increase in military spending.

My only complaint?

It should be larger.

Australia needs to protect itself from a potential Chinese invasion.

a reply to: Zaphod58

"grey zone" attacks

Political warfare involves so-called grey-zone operations or hybrid warfare, which include activities such as subversion, foreign interference and utilization of unmarked military forces. These measures are provocative and escalating but still designed to be non-kinetic and non-lethal. As they aim below the threshold of outright warfare, they do not necessitate or justify a warlike response.

www.lowyinstitute.org...#:~:text=Political%20warfare%20involves%20so%2Dcalled,%2Dkinetic%20 and%20non%2Dlethal.

I believe some of these recent large internet and telecom outages are the result of "grey zone" attacks.

China, NK, Putin, take your pick.

It doesn't help that the CCP has infiltrated a good portion of the political parties there, beware.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Given the "danger of miscalculation" Austrailia is probaably wise to the leave the big decisions in Pentagon.

a reply to: projectvxn

Australia needs to protect itself from a potential Chinese invasion.

In considering an invasion by a foreign country, two questions come immediately to mind, which part are they going to invade, and, how long do they intend on staying?.

The conclusions to these questions reveal the probability of an invasion to be, at best, near zero. I say near zero because you've always got to leave a bit of breathing room for stupidity.

Arnie123 has more or less nailed it. I have commented on this before;

Unfortunately we have quite a significant number of CCP employees and apologists, virtually all of them are ex-politicians who are nothing more than spineless dogs that would sell the whole damn country if it put a quid in their pockets.

Abovetopsecret

a reply to: myselfaswell

Fair point.

I fear for Australia.

Right or wrong, I served with their SOF teams out of Tarin Kowt back in the day. Gave me a good look at the caliber of individual Aussies can produce.

a reply to: projectvxn

I fear for Australia.

That makes two of us my friend.

Mr Morrison will outline the record military funding in a speech at the Australian Defence Force Academy on Wednesday, as he warned of “a post-COVID world that is poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly.”

It's a practicality that now Australia needs to up its game or become a potential pawn as opposed to a knight or bishop in the area. I believe that the UK will always have Australia's back, as will most Commonwealth countries, the ties go back centuries and are not so easily dismissed.

However, in order to fully protect itself I believe that Australia needs to get back on board with the US, and perhaps use its location to improve its relations with India, Japan and Indonesia, as well as strengthening its ties with the UK would definitely present more of a united front.

Sadly Australia has been moving away from such ties due to "quelle surprise" a certain socialist dynamic in the country for the last 20 or 25 years.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I know we change prime ministers as fast as we change the oil in a car but like it or not the prime minister now is Scott Morrison not Turnbull.

a reply to: 1Angrylightbulb

One of the articles had Turnbull. My mistake.

originally posted by: Doxanoxa
a reply to: Zaphod58

Given the "danger of miscalculation" Austrailia is probaably wise to the leave the big decisions in Pentagon.

I think the days of just relying on the US's military power as a defence strategy are pretty much over for Australia. For as long as Trump remains commander and chief anyway.

We've all seen he's soft spot for tyrant dictators... not so much for Americas freedom loving loyal allies though.

a reply to: Subaeruginosa

We've all seen he's soft spot for tyrant dictators... not so much for Americas freedom loving loyal allies though.

He's the only one really standing up to China in a real way and telling them no more. Biggest and most sophisticated police state and dictatorship.

Trump is trying to avoid war not get into more of them.

a reply to: Subaeruginosa
Yeah cause trump won't honor anzus....

Whaaa whaaa we have to defend ourselves because of trump...

Some outlook as an "ally"
Perhaps Alexander Downer can make a case for you?

a reply to: Subaeruginosa

Both the US and Australia are in a better position with a strong Australian military.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Subaeruginosa

Both the US and Australia are in a better position with a strong Australian military.

I suppose... but I still don't think it can be denied that the perception of being shunned and left out in the cold by the Trump administration hasn't played a huge role in this decision.

a reply to: Subaeruginosa

thats pretty poor summary of the situation..

Trump's calling China out daily - Trump hates China. The US have our back, at the least they'd fund, arm and assist us in any confrontation with China because fighting them over here helps America over there.

originally posted by: Subaeruginosa

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Subaeruginosa

Both the US and Australia are in a better position with a strong Australian military.

I suppose... but I still don't think it can be denied that the perception of being shunned and left out in the cold by the Trump administration hasn't played a huge role in this decision.

Trump makes Australia spend more money....
Really???
Is he that powerful???

OMFG

Im an Aussie. I think Trump rocks and the kiddie eating dems are ass dags.
I wouldn’t worry about down under. The great southern land will EAT an invading force. I served from 17 to 30.
If I was still serving and we got invaded, it would be a heart pounding race to find the enemy before they’re supply lines failed and they either died of hunger, thirst or fauna.
Australia. She loves her own.
So.
Never start a land wat in Asia,
Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line; and
Never back an Aussie into a corner.
a reply to: Zaphod58

Land war even lol.
a reply to: Dalamax