With the growing threat from China and the shrinking US leadership in the world, Australia has decided to increase defense spending. This was announced on Wednesday by the Prime Minister of the country Scott Morrison. He warned that after the Covid-19 pandemic, the world would be much more unstable and insecure.
IN SHORT:
- Australia will spend 40% more on military spending than planned.
- Morrison says the world will be much more insecure after the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Australia’s relations with its largest trading partner, China, have deteriorated in recent years.
Australia’s new defense strategy aims to strengthen both military and cyber defense capabilities. The Australian Armed Forces will reduce its involvement in international operations to strengthen its military presence in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, where China is increasingly aggressive.
Australia will significantly increase defense spendingUldis Ķezberis
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Australia will spend $ 270 billion (€ 240 billion) on defense over the next ten years, 40% more than the current military strategy published in 2016, SBS News reports. The government is committed to devoting at least 2% of the country’s gross domestic product to defense each year. This has been demanded of his allies by US President Donald Trump.
Most of the funds will be invested in upgrading existing weapons systems and developing new weapons systems. Australia is also preparing to buy state-of-the-art long-range missiles.
More than $ 15 billion (€ 9.2 billion) will be spent on improving the cyber capabilities of the armed forces. Australian government institutions and companies have experienced a series of cyber attacks blaming China in recent years.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country must be prepared for a post-pandemic world in which, he said, ignorance would grow and the power struggle for global dominance would intensify.
“We need to prepare for a post-pandemic world that will be poorer, more dangerous and more turbulent. Our island has been privileged to enjoy peace and stability for many decades. But now we are facing a global economic and strategic uncertainty that Australia has not experienced since the 1930s and 1940s, when regional and global order collapsed, ”warned Morrison.
The Australian prime minister acknowledged that the country’s 25 million-strong country could not compete with regional rivals in terms of military capabilities. For example, China’s military budget this year is $ 178 billion (€ 158 billion). At the same time, Australia wants to strengthen its status as a regional power and deter hostile states from using military force.
Australia’s relations with its largest trading partner, China, have deteriorated in recent years. Canberra has accused Beijing of trying to influence Australian domestic politics.
Tensions between the two countries escalated earlier in the year after Australia called for an international inquiry into the origins of Covid-19. China has called on its citizens not to visit Australia, increased customs tariffs on Australian-produced goods and sentenced Australians to death for drug smuggling.
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