Australian Army Discussions and Updates

[Stampede]

Ok what if Indonesia isn’t on our side?,

Indonesia - In a major conflict either neutral, or reluctantly appeasing a major neighbour to her north.
Helping Australia or the USA would be doubtful.

Realistically we can only work with our own land and maritime domains as a constant and maybe
some of our regions pacific nation’s resources.

We equip ourselves with that reality in mind

Cheers S

 

[seaspear]

Maybe this agreement is a step to some form of more mutual defence agreement

A step, not a leap: Assessing the Indonesia-Australia Defence Cooperation Agreement | Lowy Institute

As a statement of neighbourly ties, the deal is a good one. But temper expectations.

www.lowyinstitute.org

 

[old faithful]

Then I would say we are truly imperilled. The darkest days of WWII would repeat.

Darwin is within range of a 1,000 km ballistic missile from the southern most Indonesian islands.

Yep, Yamenda, is an Indonesian territory, about 450km due north of Darwin.
People forget just how remote and isolated Darwin really is.
It's cheaper for me to fly to Bali than anywhere in Australia.
Also closer.
2.5 hours to Bali. About 5 hours to Sydney, 4 to Brisbane.
Even Cairns is a more expensive flight than a Bali flight is.
Next major town South of Darwin is Katherine, population 10,000, then there are some small towns between Katherine and Alice. Tennant Creek is 1000km from Darwin, Alice 1500km.
The entire population of the NT, is wait for it....about 250,000

 

[discodave]

Ok what if Indonesia isn’t on our side?,

Then, to paraphrase south park: we're going to have a bad time. Also, I started quoting those distances and geography facts in response to the HIMARS vs Strikemaster discussion, so I don't see what use HIMARS is in the situation you describe.

Indonesia isn't the only nation in SE asia either. The strait of Malacca has Malaysia (Butterworth) & Singapore on the other side, plus it's 'guarded' in the Indian ocean by islands belonging to India. Timor-Leste is right next to another choke point, and is notably not part of Indonesia, thanks in-part to the efforts of the ADF.