Australia Will Build Its Biggest Navy Since World War II

Facts

• Australia has announced plans to spend over $35B over the next decade to build what will be its largest navy since World War II. This comes after an independent review found that the country currently maintains the oldest fleet in Australian history.¹
• The Royal Australian Navy plans to double its fleet size. It will then have six Hunter class frigates, 11 general-purpose frigates, three air warfare destroyers, and six warships that don't require human manpower.²
• Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on Tuesday referred to 'an uncertain world in terms of great power contest' where his country must have a 'dramatically different capability.'³
• Marles's comments come as both China and Russia have increased their presence in the Indo-Pacific, alongside increased friction between the powers and US-led allies.⁴
• Australia plans to buy at least three US nuclear submarines even as its defense spending rises to 2.4% of its GDP, higher than the benchmark — 2% — set by Australia's NATO allies.⁵
• Australia's opposition lawmakers have criticized the plan, saying its timeline falls short of the country's needs and that finding enough personnel for the expansion will prove problematic.¹

Sources: ¹CNN, ²France 24, ³Nikkei Asia, ⁴INQUIRER.net and ⁵Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by The Conversation. Australia undoubtedly has a major naval problem to solve. From worn-out vessels and spiraling costs of delayed projects to a shortage of manpower, the country must solve a host of issues to be ready for future conflicts. Its mega plan is a step in the right direction, but given chronic personnel shortfalls, there's no certainty that Australia's naval revolution will be a success.
• Narrative B, as provided by Guardian. Australia's naval shakeup announcement comes shortly after a defense review last year pointed to a gaping hole in its strategic capabilities. To that extent, the 'Australianization' of its capabilities and the expansion of its ship-building muscle is a welcome step by Canberra. It will accelerate Australia's move towards becoming a world-class naval power in the Indo-Pacific, giving its allies more confidence in its capabilities in a dramatically evolving strategic theater.

Predictions