Just to add a few points detailed in a piece by Greg Sheridan in today’s Oz.2020 Strategic Update
@hauritz has already posted the ABC report on the PM's 2020 Defence Strategic Update on the RAAF thread, but I think it bears discussion in a more general forum given that the update covers all services, so I'll post an extract from the News Limited online with some comments and the link to the News Ltd article
My extract is the "shopping list" of hardware, but there's also an increase in numbers, principally for the Navy - read the full article - and there are many items included that have long been foreshadowed by the White Paper and IIP. However, there are interesting gems, like 2000 ton amphibious vessels for the Army (LCH replacement, anyone?) and confirmation of the purchase of (2 regiments?) of self propelled howitzers,
More important than the shopping list is an intent to raise spending to above the magic 2% of GDP and acknowledgement that this will be difficult in post COVID financial situation
I accept that this is News Ltd's interpretation, but it gives an interesting start point until the actual document is available on line. It's been interesting reading the press this morning. I don't know if ABC is taking a balanced position, or just waiting for something from their favourite defence commentator to horrify the collective. I'm sure Peter Hartcher is following the old Fairfax line in SMH (anything but USA) when he suggests that we need to be independent and this doesn't work because we have to buy LRASM from the USA. As usual, no suggestion of what we should do instead, but it's either a) buy from Russia or b) buy from Sweden or c) adopt the same position as Canada and NZ and hope someone else does it
New Limited article in full. Please bear in mind that their defence correspondents have irritate the hell out of me, so I won't be blamed for their errors. ;-)
‘Dangerous and disorderly’: PM’s warning on post-COVID world
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will warn Australians to prepare for a more “dangerous and disorderly” post-COVID world as he announces a $270 billion cash splash today on long-range maritime missiles and land strike capabilities as tensions with China intensify.www.news.com.au
oldsig
The Strategic update refocuses the ADF away from the ME back to the Indian Pacific.
Arafura OPVs to be given greater combat lethality by enabling them to lay and counter smart mines.
More Growlers, quantum not specified.
Fully maintain funding commitments listed in the 2016 DWP.
Decouple spending presentation as a % of GDP, and,
Collins LOTE will introduce much of the Attack class state of the art tech.
All positive.