Asia Pacific Security: Australia’s Security Re-Defined

22 May, 2001    ·   498

Subhash Kapila provides an analysis of the Australian Defence White Paper 2000
Dr. Subhash Kapila
General Background

 

 

Australia ’s threat perceptions and security architecture is predominantly determined by the overall security environment prevailing in the Asia Pacific.  It also needs to be recalled that Australia plays an important role in the United States plans for the security and stability of the Asia Pacific region.  It can be safely assumed that after Japan , Australia is the next linchpin in United States security strategy for the Asia Pacific, especially in the South Pacific and South East Asia , where crucial strategic choke-points exist.

 

 

The recent episode where Royal Australian Navy ships sailed through the Taiwan Straits, despite protests and tailing by China (PRC) destroyers is an index of the close coordination of United States – Australia strategies in the Asia Pacific. Australia , at the turn of the millenium, re-defined its long range security perspectives and plans in a Defence White Paper entitled “Defence 2000: Our Future Defence Force”,  Australia ’s re-definition of its security requirements for the next 20 years.

 

 

 

 

Australian White Paper on Defence

 

 

The Australian White Paper on Defence is a document which charts the Australian security architecture the next 20 years.  More importantly it lays down the financial commitments to acquire the planned capabilities in this time frame.

 

 

The White Paper makes it clear that the defence of Australia is not limited to of defensive operations but also approaches to the control of Australia .  More importantly, the ‘Defence Capability Plan’ which is a component of the Australian Defence White Paper links capabilities to be acquired to specific time-frames and allocation of financial resources.  Interestingly, the last Australian White Paper in Defence was issued in 1994.  Thereafter, the Asia Pacific security environment has undergone many charges.

 

 

 

 

Australian Perceptions of Asia Pacific Changing Security Environment

 

 

The Australian White Paper on Defence can be said to be determined by the following changes in the Asia-Pacific Security environment:

 

 

 

 

·                     Changing equations between major powers in Asia Pacific.

 

 

·                     Turbulence in South East Asia , particularly in Indonesia

 

 

·                     Australia ’s concern with growing Chinese belligerence in the South China Sea area.  ( Hainan incident is ikely to reinforce Australian perceptions of instability in this area.)

 

 

·                     Developments in Papua New Guinea , Fiji and other South Pacific Islands .

 

 

 

 

Major Features of Australian Defence White Paper 2000 – An Analysis

 

 

Analysis of this White Paper reveals the following major highlights:

 

 

·                     Financial

 

 

·                     · Funding over next 10 years will increase by US $ 12.7 billion.

 

 

·                     · Immediate funding incorporates $ 500 million in 2001-2002 and $1000 million in 2002-2003.

 

 

·                     · Animal funding increase is stipulated at 3 percent.

 

 

·                     Air Superiority: Australia plans to acquire 100 new combat aircraft to replace its ageing fleet.  It also plans to acquire four AEW & C (Aerial Airborne Warning and Command) aircraft as a force multiplier.

 

 

·                     Aerial Surveillance and Control Capability: This offensive capability will be supplemented by acquisition of five air-to-air refueling tankers.  This would enable control of the approaches by the Royal Australian Air Force.

 

 

·                     Electronic Warfare Capability Enhancement: Improvements in Electronic Warfare capability of the Air Force, thermal surveillance systems and enhancement of UAV capability.  Also major upgrades of 19 P3C maritime surveillance aircraft.

 

 

·                     Naval Warfare:

 

 

·                     · Submarine capabilities will be enhanced

 

 

·                     · Existing frigates will be replaced by air-warfare destroyers

 

 

·                     Army Force Projection Capabilities:

 

 

·                     · Predominantly based on helicopters assets.

 

 

·                     · At least 20-24 armed helicopters to be acquired.

 

 

·                     · Another 12 troop  helicopters for operation from Australian Navy ships for troop lifting.

 

 

·                     Combat Readiness: Increase in the Army by about 26,000 and improving alert readiness of formations and units.

 

 

·                     Retaining USA as Key Strategic Asset: This is the most significant aspect as it underwrites the entire basis of Australia ’s military posture.

 

 

 

 

Australia ’s Security Hinges on US Military Profile in Asia-Pacific

 

 

The Australian White Paper stresses this aspect.  Also the passage of Australian Navy ships through the Taiwan straits on return from goodwill cruise to Japan and South Korea highlights how Australia works in tandem with USA on Asia-Pacific security.  Australia also has defence treaties with USA . Australia therefore, becomes a key player in any future US strategy of containment of China .

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

The most significant declaration in the Australian White Paper on Defence is regarding the role of the Australian Defence Forces.  It says that: “The Armed Forces are not simply a service provided by the Government.  They are a part of Australia ’s national identity”.

 

 

 

 

 

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