But how much of that stuff equated to new capability AD? I'm pretty sure most of that stuff was replacement of outdated kit. In contemporary terms the ADF of 1990 carried less weight than the ADF of 1970, but still the strategic environment was significantly less hazardous.
This is probably a discussion more suited elsewhere but the combat weight of ADF improved remarkably in the early 80's.
F-111 went from being a "dumb bomb" only striker to being a precision striker with Pavetack, Paveway II/III LGB's and Harpoon anti-ship missile capability.
F/A-18 introduced the same precision strike and standoff maritime attack capabilities plus a much improved air defence capability into the tactical fighter force. Mirage III of course having little to no strike capability whatsoever and a more limited A2A capability than the Hornet.
Australia re-introduced a medium artillery capability and for the first time, a weapons locating radar capability, in the 70's it was lightweight towed guns and whatever intell recon troops could provide only.
Australia acquired the Jindalee over the horizon radar system.
Australia invested in a new generation ground based air defence capability - RBS-70.
Australia introduced a comparatively large Blackhawk helo fleet. A substantial improvement over the aging Iroquois fleet and the list goes on - Steyr rifles, Minimi light support weapons, ASLAV-25 vehicles etc, etc.
However this is a RAN thread, so getting back to naval matters:
P-3C Orions actually gained a standoff anti-ship missile capability with the introduction of Harpoon.
Harpoon was introduced into the Oberon Class submarines.
FFG's were introduced and for the first time we had an air defence capable frigate with modern SAM and ASM and CIWS - Phalanx capabilities.
Collins Class submarines were ordered and introduced, with admittedly numerous fixes required down the track, but they WERE designed and manufactured in the 80's to replace the legacy Oberons and offered a marked improvement in operational capability.
A modern Seahawk fleet was acquired and introduced into service. In it's day it was the most modern ASW helo in the world and still provides outstanding capability today, that is barely IF matched within our region.
ANZAC class frigates were designed and ordered to replace our old Destroyer Escorts which were completely obsolete. The ANZAC's were admittedly light on for weapons at the introduction to service, but RAN always intended to upgrade them and in the next few years will turn into truly excellent light frigates, once their ASMD upgrades are completed.
The 90's were a bit less impressive I admit, but there is a time for ordering kit and a time for bedding it down and developing a true operational capability.
As we've seen simply purchasing kit in of itself provides nothing. It takes time to develop a true professional mastery of the kit on order and develop a capability with it. I suspect we are somewhat in this cycle now.
Most of ADF's major combat assets have been replaced or have a replacement authorised in the DCP. I suspect over the next 10 years, we will see more effort on gaining operational capability for our ordered platforms than we will shiny new orders for kit, with a couple of large exceptions (JSF, P-8A etc).
