Military experts say the war in Ukraine has shown that helicopters are increasingly vulnerable to drone attacks and becoming largely useless in a conflict.
Expectations are firming that the number of Hunter-class frigates will be slashed from a planned nine to six,or possibly even three,vessels.
Defence’s decision to dismantle helicopters rather than give them to Ukraine has focused attention on a policy “from an era of unquestioned peace”.
The Greens claim new laws aimed at ensuring the safe operation of Australia’s AUKUS submarine program will open the door to receiving US and UK nuclear waste.
There’s a strong sense in parliament that the end of the year can’t come soon enough,and that is precisely the government’s problem.
Australia will soon have naval missiles capable of striking targets 1500 kilometres away in a major boost to the nation’s long-range firepower.
A defence expert said the fast-moving infantry fighting vehicles would give Australia ‘the best capability on offer’ to replace personnel carriers from the 1960s.
Ukraine has been requesting a fleet of Australian-made Hawkeis since September and the country’s Ministry of Defence has taken to social media in recent months to declare the vehicle its new “military crush”.
China’s security pact with Solomon Islands alarmed policymakers and entrenched the belief that Australia needs to do more in the Pacific.
Some controversial cuts will especially anger the army,whose leadership has feared it will be downgraded in favour of the navy.
The Ukrainian government has taken to Twitter to urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to donate the Australian-made protected mobility vehicles.