And I'll Have
Defence must arm up for 'Asian threat'
Mark Dodd | March 25, 2008
A MASSIVELY restructured Australian Defence Force equipped with a fleet of 400 advanced combat aircraft and 30submarines could be needed to provide for the nation's security and counter the rise of Asian powers, a former senior defence official has recommended.
In a paper published in the latest edition of the Kokoda Foundation Security Challenge series, Ross Babbage - a former senior defence official and now adviser to Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon - recommends a home-grown military capability that could "rip the arm off" any threatening Asian power.
The paper, based on comments made at a forum late last year, warns that
Professor Babbage says the primary challenge for the Rudd Government's coming defence white paper - designed to map out
"Nevertheless, despite the myriad uncertainties, the seemingly irresistible strategic tide with which Australian defence planners will need to come to terms is that the country will be walking among giants, some of whom may not be friendly," Professor Babbage says.
Read the rest: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au
Aircraft carrier on secret navy wish list
March 25, 2008 01:08am
THE Royal Australian Navy has produced a secret $4 billion "wish list" that includes an aircraft carrier, an extra air warfare destroyer and long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles for its submarine fleet.
The RAN wants a third 26,000 tonne amphibious ship equipped with vertical take-off jet fighters, a fourth $2 billion air warfare destroyer and cruise missiles that could strike targets thousands of kilometres away.
The list comes at a time when the RAN can barely find enough sailors to crew its existing fleet.
It also coincides with a federal government push to save $1 billion a year in defence costs as well as a government-ordered White Paper which will set the spending priorities for the next two decades.
According to insiders, the Government was unimpressed by the RAN's push for more firepower at a time when the Government is aiming to slash spending.
"The navy is out of control," one defence source said.
It is understood that the wish list was the final straw in the tense relationship between the Government and Chief of Navy Vice-Admiral Russ Shalders - who will be replaced in July by Rear Admiral Russell Crane.
Admiral Shalders last year also pushed hard for an expensive US-designed destroyer, but lost lout to the cheaper, Spanish option.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23426041-421,00.html
Defence cuts 'endanger 4th destroyer'
Link: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/
Mark Dodd | March 24, 2008
THE Rudd Government's announcement that it intends to slash $10 billion in defence funding over the next decade has been condemned as sounding the death knell for the navy's fourth air warfare destroyer while jeopardising the project's economic benefits for
The surprise budget cuts marked a return to the Labor of old - hostile to the military - and all Australians should be worried about the development, Opposition defence spokesman Nick Minchin said yesterday.
But Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon strongly rejected the charges, telling The Australian that all savings will be returned to defence and would not affect the capability plans.
He said the cuts were necessary after the Howard government's multi-billion defence splurge.
Targets had been set and it was now up to Defence bureaucrats to report back to the Government on where savings would be made.
These would most likely fall most heavily on the civilian component of Defence, with gains of up to $1 billion a year, Mr Fitzgibbon said.
"In coming years Labor will spend a record amount of money on defence - more than the Howard government ever spent," he said. "Labor will ensure these record amounts are spent efficiently and effectively.
We really need one of these. Our freedom depends on it.
Labor wants US to sell secret F-22 fighter
March 25, 2008 02:07am
DEFENCE Minister Joel Fitzgibbon will step up pressure on the
Foreign sales of the F-22, described by many aviation experts as the world's best air superiority fighter, are banned by Congress, but there are signs that
Mr Fitzgibbon said yesterday he intended to push US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to allow the sale of the world's most advanced operational stealth fighter to Australia at next month's NATO conference in Bucharest.
"Ongoing question marks over the delivery schedule of the JSF reinforces the need we have to look at other '5th Generation' aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor," he said.
"During my bilateral meetings with Secretary Gates at the upcoming NATO meeting in
posted by 10 men at 1:32 PM
2 Comments:
Never happen mate, we're too lazy, apathetic and wedded to our socialized health, welfare and nanny state to stomach the real costs of freedom. Heck the masses aren't even willing to carry puny handguns knowing we're just sitting ducks quacking away on a big island at the end of the earth. Unfortunately it's much easier to rely on Sam and snipe and him in the hope he doesn't notice and won't hold a grudge.
MK...that seems to be the general feeling amongst the population on the surface. But it's when you scratch at that surface a little that the reasons for this attitude are exposed.
Most who think this way are only aping what they pick up from others without giving any real thought as to why they even think this. Kids pick it up from some of their so called teachers and youths pick it up at University from the so called progressives. I have had countless arguments with unthinking adults who when it comes down to the facts have proven to be very very naive.
Anti Americanism has always been there, but it is due to the last three decades with the loony left at the helm that all things American have become fair game. I have never subscribed to this seemingly trendy but illogical thought process.
And you are right about the Nanny state, the sooner we all get back to the basics of looking after ourselves and not rely on handouts from government, the sooner we will all grow up and be who we should be! Terry
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