Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030
Encyclopedia
Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030 is an Australian Government white paper
released on 2 May 2009. The publication seeks to provide guidance for Australia's defence policy and the Australian Defence Force
(ADF) during the period 2009–2030.
that saw Australia deploying and leading a peacekeeping force in South-East Asia. The paper called for an increased expeditionary capability, and marked a departure from the defensive military posture (primacy of the air-sea gap) of the Defence of Australia Policy
, that had been in placed since the end of the Vietnam War.
A commitment to develop a new Defence white paper was one of the Australian Labor Party's
(ALP's) policies during the 2007 Australian federal election. At the time the policy was launched Labor's leader Kevin Rudd
argued that the Howard Government
had over-committed the ADF and conducted insufficient planning. Rudd promised that if elected his Government would commission a new white paper to clarify the ADF's role and force structure
.
In December 2007, shortly after the ALP Rudd Government
was sworn in, the Minister for Defence
, Joel Fitzgibbon
, directed the Department of Defence
to begin work on the white paper. While the white paper was originally due to be completed in December 2008, it was delayed until 2009 due to the volume of work required.
will become increasingly dominant in Australia's region and that Australia cannot rely on the United States
for protection.
The white paper outlines the Government's preferred ADF force structure. This structure will involve a significant expansion to the Royal Australian Navy
(RAN), including replacing the current six Collins class submarines
with twelve new submarines
, replacing the eight Anzac class frigates
with eight larger frigates, developing a class of twenty corvette
s to replace the RAN's patrol boats and survey ships, replacing the Navy's heavy lift ship and replenishment ship and buying 24 new naval combat helicopters. The previously-approved construction of at least three Hobart class destroyers and two Canberra class Landing Helicopter Dock will also go ahead. The Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) is planned to be re-equipped with up to 100 F-35 Lightning II
combat aircraft, eight new maritime patrol aircraft, up to seven unmanned aerial vehicle
s and ten new light tactical transport aircraft along with an additional two C-130J Hercules
. There will be relatively few changes to the Australian Army
, which is to be organised into three brigade
s each with about 4,000 soldiers. The main new equipment for the Army will be up to 1,100 light armoured vehicles, seven new CH-47F Chinook
helicopters to replace the current CH-47D models and new self-propelled and towed 155mm artillery guns.
Malcolm Turnbull
, the then leader of the Federal opposition, said the document did not provide details on how the plans it described would be funded. Senator Bob Brown
, leader of the Australian Greens
was critical of increasing defence expenditure during an economic downturn and said that these resources would be better used to counter climate change
.
Australian Department of Defence officials briefed the Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese and United States governments as well as the governments of several other countries in Australia's region before the white paper was released. The Chinese Government was reported to be concerned about the white paper's identification of China as a possible threat to Australia's security. The Indonesian Government was supportive of the plan.
Brookings Federal Executive Fellow of the John Angevine has argued that the concept of defence self-reliance in the white paper is wrong and that Australia should seek closer defense ties with the United States instead.
White paper
A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that helps solve a problem. White papers are used to educate readers and help people make decisions, and are often requested and used in politics, policy, business, and technical fields. In commercial use, the term has also come to refer to...
released on 2 May 2009. The publication seeks to provide guidance for Australia's defence policy and the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
(ADF) during the period 2009–2030.
Background
In 2000, the then Coalition government released a defence white paper in response to the East Timor crisis1999 East Timorese crisis
The 1999 East Timorese crisis began with attacks by anti-independence militants on civilians, and expanded to general violence throughout the country, centred in the capital Dili. The violence erupted after a majority of eligible voters in the population of East Timor chose independence from...
that saw Australia deploying and leading a peacekeeping force in South-East Asia. The paper called for an increased expeditionary capability, and marked a departure from the defensive military posture (primacy of the air-sea gap) of the Defence of Australia Policy
Defence of Australia Policy
The Defence of Australia Policy was Australia's dominant defence policy between 1972 and 1997. The policy was focused on the defence of continental Australia against external attack...
, that had been in placed since the end of the Vietnam War.
A commitment to develop a new Defence white paper was one of the Australian Labor Party's
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
(ALP's) policies during the 2007 Australian federal election. At the time the policy was launched Labor's leader Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
argued that the Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
had over-committed the ADF and conducted insufficient planning. Rudd promised that if elected his Government would commission a new white paper to clarify the ADF's role and force structure
Force structure
A Force structure is the combat-capable part of a military organisation which describes how military personnel, and their weapons and equipment, are organised for the operations, missions and tasks expected from them by the particular doctrine of the service or demanded by the environment of the...
.
In December 2007, shortly after the ALP Rudd Government
Rudd Government
The Rudd Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia of the Australian Labor Party from 2007 to 2010, led by Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister. The Rudd Government commenced on 3 December 2007, when Rudd was sworn in along with his ministry...
was sworn in, the Minister for Defence
Minister for Defence (Australia)
The Minister for Defence of Australia administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which comprises the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Stephen Smith is the current Minister.-Ministers for Defence:...
, Joel Fitzgibbon
Joel Fitzgibbon
Joel Andrew Fitzgibbon is an Australian politician and Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1996, representing the Division of Hunter in New South Wales. From December 2007 to June 2009 he was the Minister for Defence in the Rudd Ministry...
, directed the Department of Defence
Department of Defence (Australia)
The Australian Department of Defence is a Federal Government Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation along with the Australian Defence Force . The Defence mission is to defend Australia and its national interests...
to begin work on the white paper. While the white paper was originally due to be completed in December 2008, it was delayed until 2009 due to the volume of work required.
Key elements
Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030 was based around assumptions that ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
will become increasingly dominant in Australia's region and that Australia cannot rely on the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for protection.
The white paper outlines the Government's preferred ADF force structure. This structure will involve a significant expansion to the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN), including replacing the current six Collins class submarines
Collins class submarine
The Collins class is a class of six Australian-built diesel-electric submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy . The Collins class takes its name from Australian Vice Admiral John Augustine Collins; all six submarines are named after significant RAN personnel who distinguished themselves in...
with twelve new submarines
Collins class submarine replacement project
The Collins class submarine replacement project is a Royal Australian Navy effort to replace the Navy's six Collins class submarines with 12 new Australian designed submarines from 2025...
, replacing the eight Anzac class frigates
Anzac class frigate
The Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
with eight larger frigates, developing a class of twenty corvette
Corvette
A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...
s to replace the RAN's patrol boats and survey ships, replacing the Navy's heavy lift ship and replenishment ship and buying 24 new naval combat helicopters. The previously-approved construction of at least three Hobart class destroyers and two Canberra class Landing Helicopter Dock will also go ahead. The Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) is planned to be re-equipped with up to 100 F-35 Lightning II
F-35 Lightning II
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability...
combat aircraft, eight new maritime patrol aircraft, up to seven unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
s and ten new light tactical transport aircraft along with an additional two C-130J Hercules
C-130J Super Hercules
The Lockheed Martin C-130J "Super" Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The C-130J is a comprehensive update of the venerable Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with new engines, flight deck, and other systems. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any...
. There will be relatively few changes to the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
, which is to be organised into three brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s each with about 4,000 soldiers. The main new equipment for the Army will be up to 1,100 light armoured vehicles, seven new CH-47F Chinook
CH-47 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s...
helicopters to replace the current CH-47D models and new self-propelled and towed 155mm artillery guns.
Reception
The white paper received a mixed response from governments in Australia's region, Australian political parties and defence commentators.Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Bligh Turnbull is an Australian politician. He has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2004, and was Leader of the Opposition and parliamentary leader of the Liberal Party from 16 September 2008 to 1 December 2009.Turnbull has represented the Division...
, the then leader of the Federal opposition, said the document did not provide details on how the plans it described would be funded. Senator Bob Brown
Bob Brown
Robert James Brown is an Australian senator, the inaugural Parliamentary Leader of the Australian Greens and was the first openly gay member of the Parliament of Australia...
, leader of the Australian Greens
Australian Greens
The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is an Australian green political party.The party was formed in 1992; however, its origins can be traced to the early environmental movement in Australia and the formation of the United Tasmania Group , the first Green party in the world, which...
was critical of increasing defence expenditure during an economic downturn and said that these resources would be better used to counter climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
.
Australian Department of Defence officials briefed the Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese and United States governments as well as the governments of several other countries in Australia's region before the white paper was released. The Chinese Government was reported to be concerned about the white paper's identification of China as a possible threat to Australia's security. The Indonesian Government was supportive of the plan.
Brookings Federal Executive Fellow of the John Angevine has argued that the concept of defence self-reliance in the white paper is wrong and that Australia should seek closer defense ties with the United States instead.