Australia announces its most significant defence reform in decades
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On Monday, Australia launched its most significant military reform in decades, centering the armed services on thwarting potential adversaries distant from its borders.

Defence Minister Richard Marles painted a picture of a time when Australia will be able to launch strikes over a much wider area and said that the long-standing territory-focused strategy was “no longer fit for purpose.”

Faced with a more confrontational China, he declared that Australia will change its emphasis to preventing foes from reaching its shores via the sea, the air, and the internet.

For the first time in 35 years, we are redefining the Australian Defence Force’s mission today,” Marles added.

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Beijing’s military build-up is currently the largest and most ambitious of any nation since World War II, according to the defence ministry’s long-awaited strategic assessment.

The study used another moniker for the Asia-Pacific region, the Indo-Pacific, and stated that the build-up was taking place without transparency or assurances of China’s strategic intent to that region.

“China’s claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea threatens the Indo-Pacific region’s global rules-based order in a way that is detrimental to Australia’s national interests.”

The creation of stealthy, long-range nuclear-powered submarines is a vital component of Australia’s new strategy, which it has previously outlined.

On top of that, the Australian Defence Force will be given access to both airborne and ground-launched long-range missile attack capabilities.

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In order to make sure that the navy’s surface combatant fleet’s size, structure, and composition match the capabilities offered by the new nuclear-powered submarines, a brief independent study of the fleet will be conducted this year.

In especially along the enormous nation’s northern shore, the Australian army will sharpen its focus on coastal protection.

450 infantry fighting vehicles were to be purchased, however that number will now only be 129.

Australian military planners have watched China’s military development with suspicion because they worry that Beijing’s now-vast capabilities may effectively cut off Australia from trading partners and international supply lines.

The study stated that the resumption of major power strategic confrontation between China and the United States “should be seen as the defining feature of our region and time.”

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