The record of the RAN’s Oberon- and Collins-class submarines shows that diesel-electric submarines can perform valuable long-range operations. However, Australia’s range and endurance requirements are much closer to the operating profiles of other nations’ nuclear-powered …
The release of 2016 Defence White Paper signifies a much sharper focus from Australia on maritime Southeast Asia. Geography dictates that whenever Canberra looks at maritime Southeast Asia, the first country that appears in its …
The US Navy’s USS John C. Stennis carrier strike group has recently concluded a five-day ‘routine patrol’ in the South China Sea. Accompanied by several US vessels based in Japan, at first glance it appears …
Referendums are all the rage in Europe. In June, British voters will decide whether the United Kingdom should remain in the European Union. The Hungarian government has called for a referendum on accepting its quota …
The contrast between the replacement for the existing Collins class submarines and the F-111 strike fighter is instructive. Governments didn’t replace the F-111 with the similarly sized F15 fighter, let alone require a much bigger …
The Beat Narcotic control strategy reports What’s that? You want to read about international narcotics control strategies? Well, you’re in luck. Both the United Nations and the US State Department have recently released reports on …
The Federal Government’s Defence White Paper signals a complete redesign of the relationship between the Australian Defence Force and industry. The Turnbull Government’s broader National Innovation & Science Agenda has significantly impacted this White Paper …
It’s time to look past Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—this is Oz and the Seven White Papers. (No word to hand on the Handsome Prince capability trial or cost blowout in the digital poisoned …
Australia’s seventh Defence White Paper was announced as we approach the 40th anniversary of the first Defence White Paper, tabled in Parliament in November 1976. A 40th anniversary is an appropriate time to reflect on …
This year’s Defence White Paper was accompanied by a document entitled 2016 Integrated Investment Plan (IIP) (PDF), which claims to bring together ‘for the first time’ the following: Unapproved Major Capital Investment Program Approved Major …
This week saw the passing of one of the pioneers of cyberspace, Raymond Tomlinson, who was the first man to ever send an email. While Tomlinson didn’t invent email, he did transmit the first message …
A new reality is emerging in Asia. In recent decades, many of Asia’s economies have boomed. The region today accounts for about 40% of the world’s GDP—up from 25% in 1990-and contributes about two-thirds of …
Australia’s new Defence White Paper has plenty to say about a ‘secure, resilient Australia’. Paragraph 3.6 states: ‘Our interest in a secure, resilient Australia also means an Australia resilient to unexpected shocks, whether natural or …
Today, ASPI released our report on Time to start worrying again? Cross-strait stability after the 2016 Taiwanese elections (PDF). It argues that the Australian government would be well-advised to pay greater attention to the emerging cross-Strait …
There’s little that’s new in our new White Paper, but there’s one bold innovation which has so far received less attention that it deserves. The Turnbull Government has substantially downgraded, if not quite completely abandoned, …
Back in mid-February, we were in India for the 2016 Quad Plus Dialogue as guests of the Vivekananda International Foundation. This was the third event in a series that kicked off in Canberra in 2013. …
The release of the Defence White Paper, Defence Integrated Investment Plan (DIIP) and Defence Industry Policy Statement (DIPS) provides what industry has been asking for over the last 18 months; some certainty. Certainty about how …
Today marks International Women’s Day, so it’s a pertinent time to assess how Australia’s 2016 Defence White Paper addresses the issue of women, peace and security (WPS). At first glance, the paper provides a useful …
Sea State The US Navy’s John C. Stennis Strike Group has been dispatched to the South China Sea this week. According to the Navy’s 7th Fleet, the group transited the Luzon Strait on 1 March …
Note: All growth rates are compounding rates calculated between initial and final year. The Defence workforce is often viewed through the Orwellian lens of uniformed personnel good, civilian personnel bad. It’s as if the former …
