Australia announced this Wednesday, July 1, the reorganization of its defense strategy, with the strengthening of its long-range strike capacity against a backdrop of rising tensions with China.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country will spend 270 billion Australian dollars (166 billion euros) over the next decade to acquire and improve its defense capabilities, an increase almost 40% of the budget.
He affirmed his wish to significantly increase Australian military capacity in the Indo-Pacific region. " We must realize that we have entered a less lenient new strategic era ," Morrison said in a speech, alluding to the end of the undisputed American hegemony and the rise of China.
" Even if we have come to terms with the coronavirus epidemic at home, we must prepare for the post-Covid-19 world which will be poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly, " he added. on guard. The Australian government has committed to spending at least 2% of its GDP on defense and plans to spend almost 40% more on armaments.
The country will acquire a strike capacity capable of reaching targets located thousands of kilometers from Australia. It will begin by acquiring long-range American cruise missiles AGM-158. Australia will also equip itself with drones and will strengthen its research in hypersonic energy weapons such as lasers.
While recognizing that the country, which has 25 million inhabitants, cannot compete with certain countries in the region, in particular China which officially plans to devote in 2020 178 billion dollars (158 billion euros) to defense - Mr. Morrison described Australia as a committed regional power. He said the country was ready to send troops " where it is in our national interest to do so ."
Defense policy change
Australia fought alongside the United States during the various conflicts of the 20th century, often in very remote regions. The announcement reflects a significant change in Australia's defense policy, which seems to counter Beijing's growing influence in the region.
Australian defense will focus on developing " stronger deterrents ," especially in the area rather than in more distant regions, he said. This policy is in line with that announced in 2018 by the Australian Prime Minister, aimed at restoring ties with his regional allies who turned to Beijing.
The Chinese government has indeed intensified its diplomatic engagement with the developing countries of the region to which it has granted greater financial aid. " We want a region where all countries, large and small, can freely engage with each other, based on international regulations ," said Morrison on Wednesday.
Cybersecurity at the heart of the country's defense strategy
He said Australia will significantly increase investment in space defense policy, including a network of satellites to create an independent communications network. He also underlined that cybersecurity is at the heart of the country's defense strategy, the day after the announcement of a vast plan to fight cyber attacks, an increase of about 10% in the budget over the next ten years. .
The country will spend an additional 1.35 billion Australian dollars (825 million euros) on cybersecurity over the next decade, bringing the budget for that period to 15 billion Australian dollars in total. The government recently revealed that the country has been the target of a massive cyber attack by a " state actor ", pointing the finger at China.
Beijing has collided with Canberra several times. Recently, the Australian government angered Beijing by calling for an independent international investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, and denouncing aggressive and dishonest Chinese diplomacy. China responded by discouraging its nationals from Australia as a destination for tourism and study, and imposed trade sanctions against Australian products.
