Inspired by Anonymous' questions 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.”
There are 15 references to NATO in the Strategy, but no
mention of Australia, ANZUS, the QUAD, or even AUKUS. This 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.
3 comments:
Pete,
Entirely in keeping with the Trumpian America First world view where he's the Leader of the (free) world and every other county has to pay him tribute or buy the toys he sanctions.
Australia also cannot adopt a position where you are subservient to the US for defense - you have been building decades of defense relations with Indonesia and Singapore. Your Pacific defense positon should include greater interoperatability with Japan and South Korea (and Taiwan), with more joint exercises and patrols
Oh, and with apologies to the Phillippines, who are also building up their naval forces, but they really need to build up their experience in operating missile frigates for air, sea and sub-surface warfare.
Hi,
I need some clarification for me. What does that mean: "follow-on aircraft will remain in the USAF’s possession"?
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/first-mc-55a-peregrine-surveillance-and-electronic-warfare-jet-arrives-in-australia/
Australia paid for 4 aircraft but the US will keep the 3 out of 4?
Regards,
MHalblaub
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