Defence Strategic Review

Defence Strategic Review

A Landmark Defence Review to Prioritise Long-Range Strike Weapons

Australia's most significant defence review in decades will be released today, prioritising the purchase of long-range strike weapons. The Defence Strategic Review will focus on modernising the country's defence capabilities and addressing emerging threats.

The review comes amid growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, with China's military expansion and North Korea's nuclear program posing significant challenges to Australia's security. The government has pledged to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2020-21, with a focus on investing in new technology and equipment.

The Importance of Long-Range Strike Weapons

The Defence Strategic Review recognises the importance of long-range strike weapons in deterring potential adversaries and protecting Australia's interests. These weapons, which include hypersonic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, are designed to strike targets from a distance, reducing the risk to Australian personnel and assets.

The review also emphasises the need for greater collaboration with allies and partners, particularly the United States, in developing and deploying these weapons. The government has already announced plans to acquire the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile from the US, which has a range of over 370km and can be launched from F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Overall, the Defence Strategic Review represents a significant milestone in Australia's defence planning, reflecting the changing nature of the security environment and the need for a more agile and capable defence force.