Michael Shoebridge of the independent think tank Strategic Analysis Australia has written an article, ‘Australia's defence: Trump will notice our grand words aren't matched by actions’.

More interesting is the subtitle, ‘Australia can't have a capable conventional military of the size we plan & 8 nuclear submarines all for 2.4% GDP’.

While only speculating on the Trump government and what it will look like, we do know about Trump's attitude to defence budgets and what he expects from America's closest allies: he “hates free riders on US military spending and US military power”.

During his last Presidency, President Trump put the hard word on Europe, NATO and South Korea. 2% of GDP on defence was acceptable back then, but not now with the obvious threats to world peace.

Australia is bumping along with just under 2% now, with the ‘intention’ of 2.3% in ten years time. We are already heavily reliant on the US for our physical security; and we are still “stuck in a world where we (used to have) at least ten years warning of danger.

We are not recruiting, and we allow those already in the forces to be insulted and demonised for doing their jobs.

When Trump looks at Australia in a region where CCP power and aggression is increasing, he could easily put us among the “free riders” he is so contemptuous of.

He will certainly have military advisers who will recognise Australia's slackness, ineptitude on defence, and the pathetic amount we spend on trying to do what politicians imagine will happen.

Shoebridge suggests that whoever wins the coming election will need to commit to spending 3% of GDP in the next three years, along with the work to match the urgency of our strategic environment - instead of the magic thinking and self-congratulation of Albanese.

ttps://strategicanalysis.org/australias-defence-trump-will-notice-our-grand-words-arent-matched-by-actions/.

Just imagine how many small land-based missile stations could be set up along the coast for the money spent on submarines ?
No need to go out & rescue anyone when malfunctions happen etc etc. Every Govt makes the same mistake listening to Experts on practical matters.
Sense simply doesn't get a chance in anything anymore !

"We are already heavily reliant on the US for our physical security"
- US coalition couldn't event beat the Houthis.

Stop kidding yourself.
Americas not what it once was.

Indyvidual,

Yes. Think Israel's ‘wall of iron’.

AC,

Australia couldn't manage a unit to help the US out with the Houthis. That won't be forgotten. But, the US wasn't all that interested in the Houthis, a minor irritation. They are just a tribe of Arabs really. But - lesson for Australia - they actually produce many of their own weapons. Some Arabs are very adept armourers. Little villages used to produce good replicas of Lee Enfield rifles and other then modern firearms many years ago, and kill British soldiers with them.

But, back to your opinion of America: the US is still a very formidable power, and it will be more so under Donald Trump. You are the one kidding yourself.

Warmongering in the name of "defence" is the catch cry of the belligerent. Again another one of the Usual Suspects is at it with his "Australia Must Spend More on Defense" nonsense. We have no hope of militarily defending ourselves from a powerful aggressor, be it China, or America of which we are presently a captive and have been post WWII. I support a non-aligned policy for Australia, and our best weapon for "defence" is diplomacy.

Already being said by US officials.

AUKUS: what value does it generate for the US?
Tariffs: why should Australia be exempt?

No threats. But serious questions that Albanese might have to answer PDQ.