Australia unveils ‘historic’ defense boost to 2.4% of GDP in decade, but critics say too little, too late

Australia unveils ‘historic’ defense boost to 2.4% of GDP in decade, but critics say too little, too late
Australia unveils ‘historic’ defense boost to 2.4% of GDP in decade, but critics say too little, too late

Part of the shakeup includes tens of billions for nuclear-powered subs, and halting the pricey procurement of an additional F-35 fighter jet squadron.

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Aussie Navy to double surface fleet with $7B plan, but future funding uncertain

Aussie Navy to double surface fleet with $7B plan, but future funding uncertain
Aussie Navy to double surface fleet with $7B plan, but future funding uncertain

Under the new plan, the Australian surface fleet will grow to 26 ships over the next decade.

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BAE touts upgunned missile tubes for $45B AUD Hunter ASW fleet

BAE touts upgunned missile tubes for $45B AUD Hunter ASW fleet
BAE touts upgunned missile tubes for $45B AUD Hunter ASW fleet

“There’s no more cost that gets added to the program outside that one design zone change, therefore when you consider that as a value for money, it avoids having to complete a brand-new design from ground up,” Craig Lockhart of BAE Systems Australia said.

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Aussies boost long-range strike with $1.7B AUD buy of 200 Tomahawks, 60 AARGM-ERs

Aussies boost long-range strike with $1.7B AUD buy of 200 Tomahawks, 60 AARGM-ERs
Aussies boost long-range strike with $1.7B AUD buy of 200 Tomahawks, 60 AARGM-ERs

“Importantly, one of the first decisions of the Albanese Labor government after the Defense Strategic Review was to allocate $4.1 billion for long-range strike and missile manufacturing over the next four years,” Pat Conroy, defense industry minister, said.

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Despite AUKUS pledges, Aussie defense spending drops $1.5B, report says

Despite AUKUS pledges, Aussie defense spending drops $1.5B, report says
Despite AUKUS pledges, Aussie defense spending drops $1.5B, report says

A new report from a leading Australian thinktank says there’s a “disconnect” between Australia’s strategic priorities and the money to fund capabilities to tackle them.

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Aussies plan massive armored cuts; review charts shift to power projection

Aussies plan massive armored cuts; review charts shift to power projection
Aussies plan massive armored cuts; review charts shift to power projection

The planned purchase of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) will be cut from 450 to 129, a blow to competitors Hanwha and Rheinmetall.

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Aussie Space Command looks to electronic warfare, other tech to deter attacks on satellites

Aussie Space Command looks to electronic warfare, other tech to deter attacks on satellites
Aussie Space Command looks to electronic warfare, other tech to deter attacks on satellites

“I think it’s a really important part of where we go to is just looking at how we can have that sort of electronic warfare type of capability to allow us to deter attacks or certainly interfere,” the head of Australia’s Defense Space Command said. 

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Australian Greens press Labor over nuclear weapons, as AUKUS decision looms

Australian Greens press Labor over nuclear weapons, as AUKUS decision looms
Australian Greens press Labor over nuclear weapons, as AUKUS decision looms

An AUKUS announcement is “imminent,” Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said. “We’re in conversation with both the UK and the US around the manner in which that is ultimately announced.”

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Facing US lawmaker concerns, Australian prime minister defends AUKUS sub efforts

Facing US lawmaker concerns, Australian prime minister defends AUKUS sub efforts
Facing US lawmaker concerns, Australian prime minister defends AUKUS sub efforts

A letter from key US lawmakers has raised concerns about the AUKUS plan down under.

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Indo-Pacific turmoil ahead as Aussies and allies shift their strategies, and China wobbles: 2023 Preview

Indo-Pacific turmoil ahead as Aussies and allies shift their strategies, and China wobbles: 2023 Preview
Indo-Pacific turmoil ahead as Aussies and allies shift their strategies, and China wobbles: 2023 Preview

It may be the beginning of a new era in Australian defense, with plans to buy Abrams tanks and hundreds of Infantry Fighting Vehicles scaled back to free money for weapons designed to deter.

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Australia delays largest program, IFV, as Strategic Defense Review grapples with ‘hard choices’

Australia delays largest program, IFV, as Strategic Defense Review grapples with ‘hard choices’
Australia delays largest program, IFV, as Strategic Defense Review grapples with ‘hard choices’

Will the SDR make big decisions and refocus Australia’s strategy? “It ultimately comes down to the ultimate question that we’re not really good at answering in this country— what are we really trying do with our military?” Marcus Hellyer of ASPI said.

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