Friday, April 24, 2009

Defense Build-up in Australia

The Australian reports that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will announce a large military build-up.
Australia's biggest military build-up since World War II, led by a multi-billion-dollar investment in maritime defence, including 100 new F-35 fighters, a doubling of the submarine fleet, and powerful new surface warships.

Details are outlined in a defense white paper that analyzes Australia's strategic outlook for the next couple of decades. China's "steadily growing military might and the prospect of sharper strategic competition among Asia's great powers," are cited as among the reasons for increasing maritime forces.

Australia has long been a valued ally of the United States. A build-up of Australian military strength is good news for America, not even considering the benefit of increased arms sales.

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