Australia plans military build-up

[bemildred]

Source: al Jazeera


Australia has said it will buy 100 fighter aircraft and double the size of its submarine fleet in an attempt to keep pace with an "explosion" in military spending in Asian nations.

The plan, titled Force 2030, would see more than $70bn spent on boosting Australia's military capability over the next 20 years, the government said on Saturday.

"Force 2030 will mean the best fighter jets, the most versatile armoured vehicles and the most sophisticated submarines available to defend Australia's national security," Kevin Rudd, the prime minister, said as he unveiled the plan.

"It's important for our own capability requirements ... for the Australian Defence Force to be prepared to meet a range of contingencies arising from military and naval build ups across our region."

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/05/200952111458244902.html

[OwnedByFerrets]

1. The human race is fucking crazy. One can only imagine the

world that "could be" if those monies and energies were spent towards helping others rather than killing them.

[Infinite Hope]

2. Good. Given the reality of the human race, we need democratic nations with strong militaries.

Canada should do the same.

[Johnyawl]

7. Both Canada and New Zealand are in the enviable position ...

...of having larger neighbors that will provide a defensive umbrella for them to shelter under. Any foriegn threat to Canada (and Mexico) is perceived as a threat to the US, and we would deal with that threat from our own self interest, regardless of wether we have mutual defense treaties with them or not. (yes with Canada, no with Mexico).

New Zealand has much the same situation. In justifying their small military budget (and complete lack of an Air Force) the government of New Zealand states that they rely on thier geographical isolation, and benign relationships with their neighbors. What they don't state is that Australia would see any attack on New Zealand as an attack on Australia. Australia still has mutual defense treaties with the US. So any attack on New Zealand will involve the US PDQ.

[ensho]

3. they are getting ready for the water and food wars

coming to a world near you

[villager]

4. glad they're not wasting money on their climate change problems... !

n/t

[imdjh]

5. Astute. Between GW and Malaysia, one of them is a real and immediate threat.

[ohio2007]

6. Concerned about China's rise

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=4081144&postcount=207




"He who beats his swords into plowshares shall till the soil of his masters"

-anonymous DU'er

[Johnyawl]

8. And Indonesia, Malaysia, India...

There's been a localized "arms race" going on in SE Asia for some time, as Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and China have poured money into their militaries. This is a concern to Australia, they're feeling (rightfully so) a bit threatened. Australia has mutual defense treaties with the US, so any attack on Australia will ultimately have the same effect as an attack on Hawaii, or American Saomoa. Australia does't need the defensive capability of beating China, but they do need to be able to protect themselves from surprise attack until the US can get there in force.

[Captain Hilts]

13. Concerned by China's power and Indonesia's chaos. nt

[westerebus]

9. The benefits of globalization.

German and Dutch hulls and propulsion systems, French infra-red sighting systems and communications, Israeli counter measures and electronics, Russian missiles and gun platforms, and on and on.

Thank god Wal-Mart is safe.

:sarcasm:

[Grinchie]

10. All this thanks to money being diverted from education

So they can have a bumper crop of semi-intelligent sheep to operate these useless pieces of shit.

The most frightening prospect for the Military is that there will be plenty of peace and prosperity that would sap the motivation for poor people to rely on the Military to employ the unemployable.

[imdjh]

11. Cheery sort, aren't you?

[TankLV]

12. And so it begins....

so sad, so sad...

and ALL of this can be laid at the foot of GW and the SOCTUS Whores who SELECTED him OVER THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE!!!

imagine what COULD have been if AL GORE was "allowed" to be President instead...

am am SOOOOO fucking mad at that...

but be GLAD we have what has seemed by all accounts, the Right Man in the Right Place now...

[depakid]

14. Haven't gotten around to reading all of it it yet- but here's the Defence White Paper

http://www.defence.gov.au/whitepaper/

and related materials.

Seems thus far to make sound strategic sense.

[amandabeech]

15. The Ozzies weren't in a good position at the beginning of WWII.

They looked to the British until the British were creamed at Singapore.

They looked to us, but we took huge hits at Pearl Harbor and the Phillipines.

I don't blame them one bit for being a bit nervous now.

As to the Canadians, I have seen reports (maybe here) that the Russians are trying to push them around in the Arctic. I hope that the Canadians will be willing to shoulder their share of the burden if the Russians keep pushing, which I think that they will do. Denmark (via Greenland), Iceland and Norway may end up in the same boat, as it were.

[Thothmes]

16. Even if the aquire new submarines

they are having a very difficult time finding crews for the submarines that they already have in their Navy.