ADF faces global challenge

Report’s key findings

Global terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction have new prominence and represent real and immediate threats to Australia and its interests. The threat of direct military attack on Australia is less than it was in 2000, but geography does not protect Australia from rogue states armed with weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles or from terrorism. Australia’s immediate region continues to face major challenges, making it more vulnerable to transnational security threats. The changed global security environment and the increasing likelihood that Australian national interests could be affected by events outside our immediate neighbourhood mean that ADF involvement in coalition operations further afield is more likely than in the recent past. This is likely to involve important niche capabilities such as those deployed in the war against terrorism and those forward deployed for Op Bastille. If adverse trends in our region continue, there might be increased calls on the ADF for tasks in the immediate neighbourhood. Op Bali Assist is a recent example. Some rebalancing of capabilities and priorities is needed to take account of the new strategic environment.

AN update of Australia’s strategic defence doctrine identifies the changing security environment and challenges facing the ADF.

The report, Australia’s National Security: A Defence Update 2003, outlines the broad conclusions of an extensive classified Government review of Australia’s defence interests and recognises the changed circumstances since the Defence White Paper was released in 2000.

Releasing the 2003 update, Defence Minister Robert Hill said the report highlighted that the strategic environment was being shaped by the twin global threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction as well as the continued instability in Australia’s immediate region.

Senator Hill said although the principles of the White Paper remained basically sound, changes in the strategic environment required some re-balancing of capability and expenditure to ensure a more flexible and mobile defence force.

“The Government has already made numerous decisions in response to these developments,” he said.

“The re-balancing that is now required will not fundamentally alter the size, structure and role of the ADF but it will ensure a more flexible and mobile force, with sufficient levels of readiness, sustainability and interoperability to perform the increased range of tasks it is likely to have to play in our current strategic environment.

“New and expanded capabilities have already been introduced to better protect Australia against terrorists. Similarly, capability enhancements have been accelerated to ensure effective interoperability and security in coalition operations. New capabilities are on line to ensure Australia can provide valuable niche capabilities to expeditionary forces. Consideration of other Defence Capability Plan modifications will be ongoing.”

He thanked the ADF for its major contribution to Australia’s security in recent times.

“The level of operational tempo is very high. The operations are varied and challenging and the performance of Australian forces has been outstanding,” he said.

“This update and the capability modifications which flow from it will ensure that we provide the equipment and resources necessary to complement the skill, courage and resourcefulness of our forces and to best ensure that they are able to successfully and safely achieve their missions.”

A full copy of the report can be found at http://www.defence.gov.au

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