Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

Soldiers, such as this member of 4RAR (Cdo), will be important assets in Australia’s response to the threat of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
Photo by Pte Ben Peardon, 4RAR(Cdo)

Think global

By Cpl Tracy Tillman
Soldiers are to get ready for greater challenges in defending Australia from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, according to a new strategic review.

The review, Australia’s National Security: A Defence Update 2003, released by Defence Minister Robert Hill on February 26, confirms the change for soldiers as the threat from terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction increases.

It is the first major review of Australia’s strategic environment and defence posture since the Defence White Paper was released in December 2000.

Minister for Defence Robert Hill said the report highlights that the strategic environment that is being shaped by the twin global threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and the continued instability in Australia’s immediate region.

“This has implications for the ADF, requiring a re-balancing of capabilities to ensure a more flexible and mobile force,” he said.

Although the Defence White Paper focused on the development of capabilities for the ADF and its national interests, there have been significant changes to Australia’s security outlook in the past two years.

“Since the horrific attacks of September 2001 and October 2002, the government has taken steps to improve security, both domestically and international.”

The review said global terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction represented a direct threat to Australia, requiring a restructure of defence strategies in order to meet the threat.

Although the likelihood of conventional direct military attack on Australia had been assessed as significantly decreased, geography would not protect Australia from rogue states with weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles.

Australia’s immediate region was now more exposed to world events, including major security threats, a fact brought home with the Bali bombings.

This changed global environment and the increased threat to Australia’s national interests means that ADF involvement in coalition operations further afield would be more likely, with a continuation of the type seen in Afghanistan.

Less strategic certainty and predictability meant a greater emphasis on the need for flexibility and adaptability, including providing important niche capabilities such as those already pre-deployed to the Middle East.

In the near term it would be less likely to neeed ADF operations in defence of Australia – however, there would be an on-going need to combat terrorism, threats from weapons of mass destruction and a whole range of tasks in Australia’s region.

Senator Hill said that while re-balancing would be required, it would not fundamentally alter the size, structure and role of the ADF.

In addressing the theatre of terror there would be a greater emphasis on increasing the size of Special Forces, establishing the Special Operations Command and enhancing counter terrorist capabilities.

In response to the threat from weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological, nuclear, radiological and explosives defence capabilities had been increased through the establishment of the Incident Response Regiment.

Future potential coalition contributions will require improved communication systems, enhanced electronic warfare self-protection measures and improved ballistics protection for some assets.