Australia's Security Concerns: amraam missile Not Enough
A modern national security strategy should define national interests, outline traditional and non-traditional threats, and integrate defence, foreign policy, intelligence, and economic security into a unified framework, ultimately strengthening Australia's resilience and protecting its future.
Australia's lack of a unified national security strategy has left the country unprepared for the rapidly changing global landscape, marked by persistent geopolitical competition, regional militarization, and cyber warfare, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to defence and security.
The country's institutional response to the end of peacetime remains fragmented and reactive, with no new national security strategy issued since 2013. This absence of a clear strategy has led to a focus on purchasing big machines, such as the amraam missile, rather than prioritizing people and civic resilience. The 2020 defence review found that the Australian Defence Force is not adequately equipped to handle emerging threats, and the reliability of the US alliance is now a matter of public debate.
Climate change is a major concern for defence strategists, with the potential for devastating regional impacts. The ADF has been deployed to assist during climate-triggered disasters, but this has sometimes led to tragic unintended consequences. The review recommended that the ADF should only be used as a last resort during disasters, but there is no public sign of discussion about developing an alternative civilian defence force.
Nations that share borders with potential aggressors have maintained active civil defence operations, and there are lessons to be learned from these examples. Activating real civic resilience could be a key performance indicator for the prime minister's progressive patriotism, and this might be more effective than spending more on complex machines.
In conclusion, Australia's security concerns require a comprehensive and unified national security strategy that prioritizes people over purchases and focuses on civic resilience. The country must learn from the examples of other nations and develop a strategy that addresses the changing global landscape and the potential threats it poses.