Defence cuts expected under plan to modernise ADF

Defence Minister Richard Marles will set out a strategy for the military in a Canberra speech.

Defence Minister Richard Marles is expected to unveil cuts to programs in a bid to fund crucial areas under a shake-up of the Australian military.

In an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Mr Marles will release a new national defence strategy.

The government released the defence strategic review in April last year, which found the Australian Defence Force was no longer fit for purpose.

It’s expected new missiles and drones will be prioritised under the recalibration.

Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said for the defence minister to pass the test of leadership, the new plans “must be more than just vague language, vague promises and vague time frames”.

“There must be real money, real commitment and real leadership,” he said.

“Richard Marles must be honest with the Australian people about the threats and challenges we face.

“This must be matched with a meaningful increase in Defence spending and a clear strategy – real money, and a real direction. These are the metrics that count.”

Writing ahead of the announcement, Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the government should prioritise the “rapid deployment” of an integrated air and missile defence system for the ADF to protect critical northern base infrastructure.

“Australia must be able to defend vital northern bases against a range of threats.”

Dr Davis pointed to Iran’s attack on Israel where it launched more than 300 weapons, missiles and drones, on Saturday night.

Almost all of the weapons were intercepted.

He said the absence of an integrated air and missile defence system could have led to a very different outcome.