2020 Defence Strategic Update

2020 Defence Strategic Update
Title	2020 Defence Strategic Update
Country	Australia
Released	2020
Publisher	Commonwealth of Australia
Minister	Linda Reynolds
Chief	General Angus Campbell
Previous	2016 Defence White Paper
Next	2022 Force Structure Plan

2020 Defence Strategic Update The 2020 Defence Strategic Update is an Australian strategic guidance document issued in 2020 outlining shifts in Australian Defence Force posture in response to evolving regional challenges. It reframes policy after assessments involving senior leaders such as Scott Morrison and Marise Payne, and institutions like the Department of Defence (Australia) and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The Update links to broader international developments including dynamics among United States, People's Republic of China, and regional actors such as Indonesia and Japan.

Background and Development

The Update was developed amid contemporaneous events including the global COVID-19 pandemic, tensions in the South China Sea, and the aftermath of interventions such as operations in Iraq and Afghanistan (2001–2021). It drew on inputs from reviews by agencies like the Australian National Audit Office and think tanks including Lowy Institute and Griffith University. Key officials involved included Secretary Greg Moriarty and Chief of Defence Force General Angus Campbell, while parliamentary oversight came from the Parliament of Australia and the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Strategic signaling to allies utilized forums such as the Quad and bilateral dialogues with the United States Department of Defense and Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom).

Strategic Objectives and Priorities

The Update sets priorities emphasizing deterrence, resilience, and integrated deterrence across domains including maritime, air, land, cyber, and space. It references strategic competition involving People's Republic of China, cooperation with partners such as United States of America, Japan, Republic of Korea, and engagement with regional organisations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum. National resilience themes connect to agencies including the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Australian Federal Police while force employment concepts reference coalition practices seen in Operation Slipper and Operation Okra.

Force Structure and Capability Changes

The Update accelerates force structure changes: enhancing maritime strike, long-range fires, air superiority, and undersea warfare. Procurement priorities cited include platforms comparable to programs such as Hobart-class destroyer, Anzac-class frigate, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, and future concepts like a conventionally-armed long-range strike capability akin to projects pursued by the United States Air Force. Submarine and undersea capabilities reference the strategic context of Collins-class submarine replacement and collaborations with navies such as the Royal Australian Navy and allied shipyards like those associated with BAE Systems and General Dynamics. Air capabilities discuss relations with systems similar to the F-35 Lightning II program and support from aerospace firms like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The Update highlights investment in space-related initiatives involving agencies similar to the Australian Space Agency and partnerships with entities such as European Space Agency programmes.

Defence Policy and International Engagement

Policy shifts emphasize posture in the Indo-Pacific and augmented cooperation through exercises like Talisman Sabre and trilateral arrangements resembling those between Australia, United Kingdom, and United States. The Update underscores interoperability with the Five Eyes partners including Canada and New Zealand, and aims to bolster defence diplomacy with countries such as Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. Legal and policy frameworks reference instruments akin to the ANZUS Treaty and participation in multilateral processes such as United Nations peacekeeping operations and the World Trade Organization where security implications overlap with commerce.

Budget, Procurement, and Industrial Strategy

Financial allocations were recalibrated to accelerate acquisition timelines and domestic industry participation through policies involving defence industry entities like Austal, Thales Group, ASC Pty Ltd, and BAE Systems Australia. The Update interacts with budgetary institutions such as the Department of Finance (Australia) and oversight from the Parliamentary Budget Office. Industrial strategy emphasises sovereign capability, local shipbuilding modeled on the Continuous Naval Shipbuilding approach, and workforce initiatives linked to vocational institutions akin to TAFE networks. Procurement processes reflect lessons from past programs including the Air Warfare Destroyer project and debates over cost control and schedule adherence.

Implementation, Reviews, and Criticism

Implementation involves staged capability deliveries, advice from strategic analysts at Australian Strategic Policy Institute and audit oversight by the Australian National Audit Office. Subsequent reviews and iterations included the 2022 Force Structure Plan and critiques from commentators at Lowy Institute, academia such as Griffith University scholars, and opposition figures including members of Australian Labor Party. Criticisms focused on assumptions about threat assessments involving People's Republic of China, sufficiency of funding relative to ambitions, and balance between high-end capabilities and resilience for disaster response exemplified in operations like Bushfire response 2019–20. The Update remains a reference point in debates over Australia's strategic alignment, defence industrial base, and alliance posture.

Category:Defence policy of Australia