Why Australia is Gladly Preparing for War

Australia is preparing for war in order to avoid it. Their historic new increase in defense spending and China’s dependence on them for iron ore make them an important ally. Australia’s defense funding for 2024 will be $35 billion USD, just over 2% of their GDP, and up from $20 billion in 2021. They’ve signed a new trilateral security agreement with the United States and United Kingdom that will give the Australian Navy a new weapon that only 6 other nations in the entire world have. Major upgrades are being made to their northern army, air and naval bases. But all of this was done at a major cost. China has boycotted $4 billions of dollars worth of Australian products in an attempt to coerce them into bending to their will.

Written by: Chris Cappy & Thomas Priddle
Edited by: Savvy Studios

located in the Indo-Pacific region they have become more strategically important in light of the US China security competition. Both great powers require resources from Australia. This means the democratic nation of Australia will play a crucial role if we’re headed into some kind of second cold war here.

The Australian defense forces down under will grow by 30 percent once the new plan is implemented, the country’s permanent military ranks will increase from 59,000 to nearly 80,000. But will it be too little too late? Let's look at the revolutionary new weapon systems that Australia is choosing to invest in, why the nation is so geopolitical important and whether or not China’s attempts to coerce Australia have been successful.

Australia, a nation of relatively small population of 25 million people while being the world's 6th largest country by size. Australia has an abundance of natural resources most important of which is their crude iron ore mines. One of the reasons for their geopolitical importance is they have the world's largest iron ore reserves estimated to be 51 billion metric tons or 30 percent of the world's entire supply.

This should give us a hint as to why China needed Australia so badly for the past two decades. Iron ore is essential to make steel which is necessary to build a strong industrial base. China needed this iron ore to build infrastructure projects, roads, highways, defense products and their entire belt and road project. Beijing imports 60% of their iron ore from Australia, and is heavily dependent on the commodity. Why can’t China mine their own iron ore supply domestically? China would need to develop hundreds of new mines, which would require an enormous amount of water and energy and expertise that their mining industry just doesn't have right now.

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Task & Purpose is a military news and culture oriented channel. We want to foster discussion about the defense industry.

#EXPLORE #AUSTRALIA #GEOPOLITICS

[jasonandersen]

American here, former USMC. I have never met a single Australian that I didn't like. I loved all of them, and would proudly support them in their time of need. My home is always open to my friends and family Down Under, and I can't wait to visit Australia someday.

[keithbuddrige]

As an Australian Army war veteran, I can confirm this massive change in the defence budget is SIGNIFICANT! Historically Australia (Post WWII) has been very conservative on defence spending, which means for the Generals and the Minister of Defence to make a HUGE change in policy (Increase missiles and cut IFVs) is significant.
This is not done for no reason.
Best defence is offence, Australia wouldn't start a war but we'd be there to ensure democracy succeeds.
We also have a 'secret' army, we've won the Hearts and Minds of the Emu's ... they are a formidable force now ;)

[Jarod-vgwq]

I have full faith in Australia 🇦🇺 from Canada 🇨🇦 ❤

[kidsyx]

I live in darwin and an American company just built 12 fuel silos to help us combat our 12 day fuel reserve. They're the biggest tanks I've ever seen. They're bigger than most sky scrapers in most cities. It's insane.

[geminiwriter]

Bruh, as a New Zealander, wherever our Aussie brothers go, we will follow. Win or lose, we stand together.

[Chosinn]

I remember going to Australia as part of a MRF-D in 2016 as a Marine. Idk how much the program has grown, but I do remember that it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Australia is a beautiful country, with amazing people. We were part of their Anzac Day parade, and they welcomed us with open arms. The Aussie Army had some of the hardest dudes to work with. Very professional and knowledgeable in their craft as infantrymen. Learned a lot while was there and overall had a great time. I have full confidence that their military can and will stand up to China without a flinch. Here’s to all the Aussies fighting the good fight, y’all are in a scary predicament just based on geological location alone.

[walesruels]

God bless Australia! 🇦🇺❤️
With lots of love from the UK 🇬🇧❤️

[wayneedwards]

Though a small nation, Australians have never backed down in a fight. Just like our animals...treat us badly and there are consequences.

[marc]

Chris, as an Aussie working in our Defence industry, I must say this is one of the most capable reviews of our Defence posture I have seen. We are usually resigned to seeing external (particularly US) commentary in which it is nigh-on impossible to recognize ourselves, so well done on some accurate, succinct, and very high quality journalism indeed.
Best from Downunder,

Marc.

[TheMichaelStott]

Aussie Vet here. For the past 80 years the ADF has been excellent for what it has done in peacekeeping and war. We often heard politicians and people say we are highly effective in punching well above our weight but in my experience of deployments within our region and the Middle East this relied on a number of factors. We knew when things would start, our deployments were somewhat fixed so we knew when we would be coming back. Our logistics were very secure and besides operations in Bougainville, East Timor and Solomon Islands we were often part of a larger allied force and we could call upon their support. The situation with CCP changed that thinking as we would not know if or when things would kick off, how long we would need to sustain ourselves nor confirm a high level of logistic security and we would be expected to play a larger part around the island regions. The Boycotts and recent activity has awoken a sleeping platypus. They may look funny but they are Venomous with advanced radar senses😉

[AkaUforia]

As an Aussie, I'm glad you're spreading this information. Our media does not highlight ANY of this... I'm also glad that you recognised the Dollarydoo, our official currency.

Just a couple notes as for pronunciations though... Canberra is pronounced "Can-brah", and Albanese is pronounced "Al-ba-nee-see".

[MrBrentles]

Australia's manufacturing industry demise is heart breaking. We used to produce so much and be pretty much self sufficient.

[waddlesticks]

As an Australian what's annoying me is we have the resources to actively develop our own equipment and have our own factories. This is something we really need as we are far away from a lot of allies and as seen in Ukraine, having to rely on other countries for equipment isn't the way to go.

Way to much of our industries have just gone external, a lot of our equipment we need the US to assist.

[freddiemercury]

Hi, a shoutout to my Australian friends.

About 10 years ago I was in Australia for a military exercise, location is classified. Extremely harsh environment there.

The Australian troops we met there were friendly and nice people, I'm glad we got along. We had an exercise together as well, won't forget that.

Respect,
From Singapore.

[georgefox]

Met some Aussies in RVN. Super gents and fighters. A real dependable ally!

[earthangel]

I’m just a normal Aussie Grandma of 53! My Grandfather served out of England ww2, great uncles served for Australia & England ww2.I’m grateful for those past and present for having courage and bravery for protecting me my family and our great nation.
Thank you all❤️

[hcoremanny]

I loved the “barely enough time to get a game of cricket in” but showed footy

[underzepump]

As an Aussie - that Chinese trade war was the best thing that happened to us. Lobster went from $30 to $8 in the supermarket - it was a good few months.

[MEN]

As an Aussie I have learnt more here then what our media has ever said

[agpaok]

As a Greek, I think that Aussies and kiwis are probably the only other 2 nations that enjoy wars, except us. I have seen interview from guys that fought in Borneo, and they were like going for family trip. When almost all the Greece was occupied and only Crete remained, the only who stayed and helped were kivis who came all the way from New Zealand to Greece. The honoured our national moto "freedom or death", and till today they are like national heroes here.