Australia might need new defense strategy as tensions rise
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There is no evidence that China has ever contemplated using its nuclear weapons to coerce another state. Instead, China has maintained a “no first use policy” on nuclear weapons. Surprising as it may sound to many, China wants to build an image of itself as a responsible power. But the fact remains that China could threaten to use those weapons to force the Australian government into, say, ceasing its patrols of the South China Sea, regardless of the much-debated US “nuclear umbrella” in East Asia. Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox This is the reality that Australian defense planners have lived with for some 50 years. Australian defense force planning has long accepted the premise that our self-reliance needs to be viewed within an alliance context. As recently as 2009, the government plainly conceded that the Australian Defence Force was not expected to deal with a situation: In such a situation, we don’t expect to be alone. This point is important to bear in mind when we consider recent discussions of a “Plan B” to strengthen Australia’s defense posture. Commentators have suggested recently that Australia’s strategic risk is increasing and the A$195 billion defense spending plan announced in the 2016 Defence White Paper is now insufficient Australian taxpayers would certainly be interested to know why a plan that doubles our submarine fleet, significantly expands our navy and adds 100 of the most advanced and expensive combat aircraft ever invented would now be seen as insufficient. The answer lies in the shifting strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, which has led to greater concerns about China’s long-term intentions and rising tensions between China and the US. So what exactly has changed? China’s activities Since the last Defence White Paper in 2016, Australian defense observers have been alarmed by four things: China’s rejection o...
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G+ here:
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There is no evidence that China has ever contemplated using its nuclear weapons to coerce another state. Instead, China has maintained a “no first use policy” on nuclear weapons. Surprising as it may sound to many, China wants to build an image of itself as a responsible power. But the fact remains that China could threaten to use those weapons to force the Australian government into, say, ceasing its patrols of the South China Sea, regardless of the much-debated US “nuclear umbrella” in East Asia. Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox This is the reality that Australian defense planners have lived with for some 50 years. Australian defense force planning has long accepted the premise that our self-reliance needs to be viewed within an alliance context. As recently as 2009, the government plainly conceded that the Australian Defence Force was not expected to deal with a situation: In such a situation, we don’t expect to be alone. This point is important to bear in mind when we consider recent discussions of a “Plan B” to strengthen Australia’s defense posture. Commentators have suggested recently that Australia’s strategic risk is increasing and the A$195 billion defense spending plan announced in the 2016 Defence White Paper is now insufficient Australian taxpayers would certainly be interested to know why a plan that doubles our submarine fleet, significantly expands our navy and adds 100 of the most advanced and expensive combat aircraft ever invented would now be seen as insufficient. The answer lies in the shifting strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, which has led to greater concerns about China’s long-term intentions and rising tensions between China and the US. So what exactly has changed? China’s activities Since the last Defence White Paper in 2016, Australian defense observers have been alarmed by four things: China’s rejection o...
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