US National Security Strategy 24 Jan 2026 bad for Australia

Hi Anonymous at 1/24/2026 6:01 PM

The US NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY of January 23, 2026 at https://media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/2003864773/-1/-1/0/2026-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY.PDF written by the US "Department of War" is very America First, saying:

“We [the US] will deter China in the Indo-Pacific through strength, not confrontation. We will increase burden-sharing with allies and partners around the world. And we will rebuild the U.S. defense industrial base as part of the President's once-in-a-century revival of American industry.”

With no mention of Australia, ANZUS, the QUAD, or AUKUS the Strategy may mean the US is downgrading age old links and understandings with Australia. The US seems to be implying US allies, including Australia, should shoulder more of the burden against China.

You ask "why are we spending most of our budget on small numbers of costly platforms interchangeable with the USN and USAF" Only with Australian nuclear submarines (used Virginias probably sent to us in the mid 2040s) could our navy move safely and quickly enough to patrol and defend seas between China and Australia as well as the Taiwan Strait.

Until we have Virginias Australia will be weak against Chinese naval movements. This is noting China is likely to have one or more Type 093 or new 095 SSNs in front of any taskforce near Australia.