Spindoc,
I discussed that our biggest threat will come from the hungry and governments intent on distraction.
Who and where are we going to first strike at?
25 very, very expensive fighters going to do against a swarm of better fighters?
As for 12 subs what makes you think that they are safer look at the Brit and French subs colliding under the water. And the Collins that was hit by a ship.
One sub = how many billion. We haven’t got the sub mariners to fully crew the subs we’ve got.
Torpedo supplies 18 month delay et sec
One cruiser = billion comparatively slow.
One Destroyer One missile i.e. the Gen Belgrano
A fleet of fast frigates and patrol boats could cope with more incursions and comparatively quicker and cheaper to replace. Many more targets.
AWD tanks where? the logistics? Show me a tank that can cope our desserts/jungles/ and the Gulf country…the bulldust would clog everything the weight would bog them down, the heat well... and when in swamps good luck.

“We need bases all along our northern and western coast line.” Remember the ship load of refugees landed in the west and how many weeks before we found out? Think germ warfare, we have no defence against malicious release of animal diseases.

“Soldiers should be trained for asymmetrical warfare and how to fight in our terrain.” What good are soldiers who know how to march and fight in Pucka when where they’re required to fight is our desserts, swamps, ranges, jungles? Rapid deployment forces are required.
Why else are our commandos so valued overseas?

A full frontal attack is unlikely and if it does we will be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
We need the best bang for our buck.
I’m arguing for making it more difficult to land unobserved and therefore more discouraging for invaders. Appropriate tools for the job, not toys for big boys.
Only a small percentage of the forces are trained for disaster and usually as a last resource.

examinator, there are 2 more roles for our military.We export our expertise to our neighbours and build bridges at this important level. And we contribute to Peace Keeping worldwide and regionally.

Perhaps our best defense is that no other nation has historical claims or grievances against this land.

Our other great defense is that we trade freely (the freer the better) in goods, services and culture with our neighbours.

There is no foreseeable threat that would warrant too much change to our policies. Maybe GW or population growth might at some point, but not now.

ASymeonakis my family came from Germany in the 1880's and lined up to fight for Oz in both world wars. You are Greek eh? And would not defend Australia against a Greek attack? Would you take up arms with your countrymen then? Niiiiice.

A Symeonakis,

Anyone who could not support Australia if it were being invaded by another country is NOT an Australian. No matter what a bit of paper says.

PaulL
You have right, but most important it is not how people should be but how realy they are.
I remind you the German minority at Poland, Chechoslavakia, etc they gave the excuse to Xitler to invate in these countries.
You know that Hitler was thinking to invade in Australia of cause the german minority.
It is not only Hitler who used the German minorities the same things happened WITH ALL OTHER COUNTRIES.
One time, I heard, when we had problems with Turky, muslims from a Greek town bought 500 axes in one day! Do you think they bought the axes for decoration?
THE MINORITIES ARE GOOD WHEN PAECE BUT ON WAR TIMES THERE IS A BIG QUESTION!
WHAT THEY WILL DO?
PaulL
When I went to pick up my visa from Australian High Commision , the secretary said me=We know that you will involve with politics in Australia. We have many migrants and it is good if we know how they feel=
I had so many problems in my workplace and as sole parent and I had to shut up my mouth until to pass the bad, dark days.
The migrant who says that he loves Australia more than his country in realy he not only does not love Australia but he does not love his own country too.
These cheap people care only for their self and nothing else. As they sold their motherland with easier way they will sell Australia too.
I am an honest and stait person, I CAN NOT TURN THE GUN AGAINST GREEKS, and I believe the same thing will happen with the mass majority of Australians, they can not fight against the countries from their origin
I could fight against Greece only if they do something very wrong, a big crime.
PaulL
Most people hide their feelings, they afraid to express their self, we do not know if they are happy or hate us.
Many times we have to choice between the bitter truth and the happy lie, I always prefer the truth.
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

Dear Antonios,

You can only speak on behalf on yourself.
No one else.

My ancestry is Lithuanian. Of which I'm proud,
other Australians have other ancestries, however
when it comes to defending our country - we'd
all do it without a moment's hesitation.
This is our land, our people!

Morning examinator, Just addressing a couple of misunderstandings. I did not mention “our” first strike capability at all, I said we need to keep our aircraft away from enemy first strike capability. That is away from our northern coastline, that we will always do.

As for our enemies having a “swarm of better fighters”? Not sure what you have in mind. SU 28’s Mig 31/35’s? Fighters are for Intercept/LowCap and HiCap patrol. None of the fighters listed in ”Janes” as being operated by any of our potential enemies can reach Australia. I think you are “mixing up” various technologies.

You mention Collins Class subs, which is a patrol sub. Then you mention the British and French subs in the news. Those subs are not patrol subs, they are Trident Missile Subs. Then you mention a “Cruiser”, we don’t have any cruisers. Then you mention “One Destroyer One Missile i.e. the Gen. Belgrano” The Belgrano was sunk by the British submarine HMS Courageous with two WWII type 34 torpedos. Then you mention AWD Tanks? AWD’s are Air Warfare Destroyers you goose, not Tanks. You really do talk a right load of old coblers.

If you really want to get across the ADF technology, how the ADF intends using it and in what scenarios, get a copy of the last defense review white paper. Then you can be better informed and not sound such a blithering idiot. Thank goodness you are not managing Australia’s defense capability.