Australia’s army, air force and navy is set to swell by a third to operate “cutting edge capabilities” the country is getting, including the planned nuclear submarine fleet, as well as cyber warfare and defence.
The federal government is promising to take the total number of soldiers, sailors and airmen and women from about 60,000 to 80,000 by 2040. The boost is estimated to cost at least $38 billion from 2024 to 2040.
The federal government has committed to growing the uniformed Defence workfroce to 80,000 by 2040.Credit:ADF
“Our world is becoming increasingly uncertain so it’s important we take steps now to protect our people and our national interest over the coming decades,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“You can’t flick a switch to increase your army, navy and air force overnight, growing the type of people and skills we need to face the threats of the future takes time, so we must start now so critical skills can be taught and experience gained.”
The commitment to increase the Defence workforce by an additional 18,500 to more than 100,000 (which includes about 20,000 civilian staff) follows Department of Defence advice, after the need for more boots on the ground was outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Plan.
The parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade also recommended last year that the federal government review the size of the ADF to make sure a sustainable force was available for future military operations as tensions in the Indo-Pacific rise.
“With a full-time force of only 58,600 (and a much smaller number of frontline combat personnel) the Committee is concerned that the ADF is too small to credibly field sufficient rotational combat forces for protracted high-end combat operations, either as a lead or contributing nation,” the November report said.
The federal government is promising to take the total number of soldiers, sailors and airmen and women from about 60,000 to 80,000 by 2040. The boost is estimated to cost at least $38 billion from 2024 to 2040.
The federal government has committed to growing the uniformed Defence workfroce to 80,000 by 2040.Credit:ADF
“Our world is becoming increasingly uncertain so it’s important we take steps now to protect our people and our national interest over the coming decades,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
“You can’t flick a switch to increase your army, navy and air force overnight, growing the type of people and skills we need to face the threats of the future takes time, so we must start now so critical skills can be taught and experience gained.”
The commitment to increase the Defence workforce by an additional 18,500 to more than 100,000 (which includes about 20,000 civilian staff) follows Department of Defence advice, after the need for more boots on the ground was outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Plan.
The parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade also recommended last year that the federal government review the size of the ADF to make sure a sustainable force was available for future military operations as tensions in the Indo-Pacific rise.
“With a full-time force of only 58,600 (and a much smaller number of frontline combat personnel) the Committee is concerned that the ADF is too small to credibly field sufficient rotational combat forces for protracted high-end combat operations, either as a lead or contributing nation,” the November report said.
More troops for nuclear submarines, cyber in $38 billion Defence Force expansion
The number of army, air force and navy personnel will rise to 80,000 by 2040 to help Australia face future threats, the Prime Minister said.
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