Gee. A little bit paranoid? We are like Russia and North Korea? Dire scourges in other parts of the world? Then, of course, there is the “easily led public”.

Defence is essential. Defence manufacturing and advertising is an important part of our economy.

Pathetic.

I have to agree with ttbn.

The article is all a bit pointless.

One part ,though , intrigues me...

'So far the Pacific has been largely spared this scourge, apart from the sad example of Papua New Guinea, where the ready availability of guns makes it now one of the most dangerous places on the planet for locals and visitors alike'

PNG has 1.2 weapons per 100 people , Australia has 21.7 whilst Switzerland ,at 45.7 per hundred ,is the 4th most heavily armed country on earth!

These are private gun ownership stats.. excludes Armies and Police. Me thinks that the violence in PNG has bugger-all to do with Gun ownership.

If it was , then Switzerland would be Hell on Wheels !

Gun ownership and the ready availability of guns are entirely different things.

There are any amount of guns and ammunition in PNG, the leftovers from WWII number in the (?) thousands.
What is restricted in PNG is private gun ownership, the crims have guns the victims do not.

Air shows are cool and fast and aerobatic fighter planes are the best to watch. Airshows are far cry from missiles and tanks being paraded down the mainstreet ahead of goose stepping soldiers.

I support the members of our armed forces being well equipped and well trained and ready to defend our nation at a moments notice.
If they are prepared to put their lives at risk then we should give them the best training and equipment in the hope that they don't lose their lives in the first place.

But I do not support our governments using our defense forces as mercenaries beyond our borders in other peoples wars of conquest.

If they don't have any wars to occupy themselves with they should instead be putting their skills to use helping out with domestic projects instead.