Lower Your Expectations For Australia’s Latest Defence ‘Overhaul’

Commentary There is only one significant question worth asking about the Australian government’s naval review: When will the new ships actually be delivered? The history of defence reviews and promised military equipment for the past three decades has been a sorry saga of promises, delays, and disappointments, of which the replacement of the Collins-class submarines is the most egregious example. The latest plan revealed this week offers nothing to counter these concerns. The Plan In summary, it involves six elements. First, the independent review found a $25 billion funding hole in the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet program. In response, the Albanese Labor government will inject an additional $1.7 billion over the next Forward Estimates (three years) and $11.1 billion in additional funding over the next decade for the Navy’s surface combatant fleet, and Australia’s shipbuilding industry....