Australian Defence Strategic Update

Australian Defence Strategic Update
Name	Australian Defence Strategic Update
Country	Australia
Published	2023
Agency	Department of Defence
Preceding	2016 Defence White Paper
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia

Australian Defence Strategic Update

The Australian Defence Strategic Update articulates the Commonwealth of Australia's national posture through a reassessment of threats and resources, situating Canberra amid shifting dynamics involving People's Republic of China, United States, Japan, India, and Indonesia. It reframes priorities across strategy, capability, procurement, and partnerships in response to developments such as the Russia–Ukraine War, the rise of the People's Liberation Army Navy, advances in hypersonic weapon, and tensions in the South China Sea. The document informs policy across institutions including the Australian Defence Force, Department of Defence, and the Parliament of Australia.

Background and context

The Update was produced following strategic reassessments triggered by events like the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the expansion of People's Republic of China's maritime activity in the South China Sea, and evolving capabilities from states including North Korea, Iran, and Russia. It reflects debates within policy forums such as the National Security Committee, consultations with chiefs of the Australian Defence Force, input from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and briefings to the Prime Minister of Australia and the Governor-General of Australia. Historical antecedents include the 2009 Defence White Paper, the 2016 Defence White Paper, and strategic reviews like the 2009 Defence Strategic Review.

Strategic objectives and priorities

The Update sets priorities emphasizing deterrence of coercion, protection of Australia's northern approaches, and resilience of critical infrastructure involving entities like ASC Pty Ltd, Babcock International, and Raytheon Technologies. It prioritises sovereign capability and ties with partners such as the Quad members United States, Japan, India, and security arrangements including the ANZUS Treaty and enhanced cooperation with United Kingdom through initiatives like AUKUS. It assigns roles to services within the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Australian Air Force to contribute to missions alongside multinational formations such as those under United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and regional frameworks like the ASEAN Regional Forum.

Force structure and capability development

Capability guidance accelerates acquisition of long-range strike systems, undersea capabilities, and air defence platforms, referencing programmes with contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Thales Group, and BAE Systems. It endorses procurement of submarines tied to the AUKUS trilateral arrangement, surface combatants informed by doctrines from the United States Navy and Royal Navy (United Kingdom), and investment in Unmanned aerial vehicle and autonomous underwater vehicle fleets drawing on research from institutions like Australian National University and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. Force design shifts include distributed basing reflecting lessons from the Second World War, the Korean War, and modern campaigns such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan (2001–2021). Training and doctrine revisions reference curricula from the Australian Defence Force Academy, exchanges with United States Military Academy, and exercises like Talisman Sabre and Rim of the Pacific Exercise.

Defence industrial policy and procurement

Industrial policy in the Update stresses sovereign shipbuilding at facilities including Osborne Naval Shipyard and sustainment through companies like ASC Pty Ltd and Navantia, promoting partnerships with multinationals including MBDA, General Dynamics, and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. It advocates reforms to procurement frameworks intersecting with the Defence Industry Development Strategy and procurement law overseen by the Australian National Audit Office, while fostering supply-chain resilience amid geopolitically sensitive dependencies tied to suppliers in the People's Republic of China and Taiwan. The policy encourages local research commercialisation with universities such as University of Sydney and Monash University and links to sovereign manufacturing initiatives similar to those in United Kingdom and United States industrial strategies.

International partnerships and regional engagement

The Update amplifies engagement with strategic partners including United States, United Kingdom, Japan, India, France, and regional actors like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and New Zealand. It situates Australia’s approach within multilateral forums such as the Quad, ASEAN, Pacific Islands Forum, and bilateral mechanisms like talks with the United States Indo-Pacific Command and the Japanese Ministry of Defense. Exercises and capacity-building efforts expand cooperation with navies including the Royal Australian Navy, United States Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and regional coast guards, while diplomatic tools involve the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, defence attachés in missions like Australian Embassy, Washington, D.C., and treaty consultations under instruments akin to the ANZCERTA.

Budget, funding and resourcing

Fiscal planning in the Update links allocations to the Defence Strategic Review and budget cycles managed through the Australian Treasury and Parliament of Australia appropriation processes, balancing expenditure across personnel in the Australian Defence Force, capital equipment with vendors like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and sustainment contracts administered by agencies such as Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. It addresses cost drivers exemplified by submarine programmes, air combat fleet modernisation informed by F-35 Lightning II acquisition, and logistics demands influenced by lessons from operations in Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. Contingency funding mechanisms reference arrangements with the National Cabinet and emergency mobilisation exercised during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Implementation and oversight mechanisms

Implementation relies on institutional roles across the Department of Defence, the Australian Defence Force, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, and parliamentary oversight through the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Governance measures include timelines for capability delivery, audit and reporting by the Australian National Audit Office, and interagency coordination with the Attorney-General's Department (Australia), Department of Home Affairs (Australia), and state-level entities like Queensland Government and Northern Territory Government for basing and infrastructure. Independent reviews and periodic strategic reassessments draw on think tanks such as the Griffith Asia Institute, Lowy Institute, and Australian Strategic Policy Institute to inform parliamentary accountability and future policy adjustments.

Category:Defence policy of Australia