Defence minister says ‘clear-eyed’ statecraft more important than ever amid regional tensions; ScottsRL collapses with 1,500 jobs and supermarket supply chain at risk
Richard Marles also told the industry event last night that Australia could no longer rely on its remote geography, which had previously been “ a huge asset in the defence of our continent”.
The defence minister said capability advancements - particularly in the last decade - meant “the advantages of our geography have been diminished”:
Today we face a range of threats – including longer-range missiles, hypersonics and cyber-attacks – which render our geographic advantages far less relevant.
This announcement will describe how Australia will evolve our submarine capability from operating our six diesel-electric Collins Class submarines today to the point where Australia is building and operating its own nuclear-powered submarines in the future. We will describe how we intend to invest in Australian industry to make this happen. We will make clear how Australia and our partners will meet our non-proliferation obligations and, in the process, establish the highest bar possible for transfers of this technology. And we will articulate the cost.
And while Australia will always do what we must to get the hard power equation right so that we have the capabilities which keep our people safe, I also want everyone to understand that our government knows the frontline of Australia’s engagement with the world is diplomacy. And this will be our abiding focus. For it is through diplomacy that we can create pathways for peace.
Continue reading...from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/PMiUCGo
No comments:
Post a Comment