Solving the China puzzle

China’s role in the world continues to evolve strategically and economically. For those watching from a safe distance—such as the capitals of Europe—China’s strategic trajectory doesn’t even rate a mention amid the scramble for profit. …

DWP 2016: five key questions

The new Defence White Paper is an advance on many fronts. Its appreciation of the changing security landscape is accurate, its logic is mostly clear and it contains a government commitment to spend significantly more, …

DWP 2016: the ADF’s peacetime roles

Last year, the Defence White Paper expert advisory panel set out to gauge public attitudes to Defence. The community made it clear to the expert panel, chaired by ASPI’s Executive Director Peter Jennings, that they …

DWP 2016: the future Army

The new Defence White Paper outlines spending of up to $80 billion on land combat and amphibious warfare out to 2025–26. In terms of equipment modernisation, the plans have focused on greater protected mobility, situational …

ASPI suggests

 It’s been a big week here at The Strategist with yesterday’s release of the 2016 Defence White Paper (PDF). If you’ve been waiting as long as we have for the launch of #DWP2016, prepare to …

DWP 2016: the future RAAF

The 2016 Defence White Paper emphasises the importance of a potent strike and air combat capability for the defence of Australia and its national interests. Over the next decade, Defence has committed to invest between $44.2 …

DWP 2016: the future RAN

The 2016 Defence White Paper represents the most ambitious plan to regenerate Royal Australian Navy since World War II—at least according to the Turnbull government. The Navy will receive approximately $48.75 billion for defence capability …

Good riddance to 2% targeting

The Turnbull government’s new Defence White Paper promises to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2020–21—three years earlier than Tony Abbott promised. Better still, they’ve provided an explicit table of Defence funding across …

Twelve Future Submarines: a long, circuitous journey

After two prime ministers, three defence ministers, three assistant defence ministers and two parliamentary secretaries—and a 12 month delay—we welcome today’s release of the Defence White Paper. We also support the Government’s decision to deliver …

Tiger, Tiger, not so bright

There was a new acquisition project that was given a lot less prominence than the big ticket naval items in today’s White Paper launch. In the paper’s paragraph 4.56, we find this: ‘The Government will …