Australia today unveiled a major overhaul of its defense doctrine, aimed at countering China's growing military power and curbing its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region.
< p> "Today, for the first time in 35 years, we are redefining the mission of the Australian armed forces," said Australian Defense Minister Richard Mallers.
Australia's new military doctrine emphasizes deterrence and aims to keep the adversary at bay before it can reach the country's soil by strengthening defenses on its coasts, especially the northern ones.
The new A strategic report by the Ministry of Defense justifies this change by strengthening Beijing's military capabilities, which is being carried out “without transparency and without reassuring the Indo-Pacific region about China's strategic intentions”.
"China's claim to sovereignty over the South China Sea threatens the world order (&hellip?) in the Indo-Pacific in a way that adversely affects Australia's national interests," the report points out.
Canberra has already announced the development of a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Today Marles said the country's armed forces will also gain the ability to launch long-range strikes, both land and air.
Australian military analysts are watching China's rise in military power with concern, fearing that Beijing will de facto cut off Australia from its trading partners and global supply chains.
The return of strategic competition between China and the US "should be seen as the defining feature of our region. and of our time”, emphasizes the ministry's report.
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Source: APE-MPE
