Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds has told a meeting of defence specialists that Australia has to define a new rule-based world order.
“Our region is facing the most consequential regional realignment since World War II,” she said.
“We need to define a new rule-based order and encourage all state-based actors to accord with these rules.”
The defence minister emphasised Australia’s security environment had changed rapidly in ways not predicted.
“Nations in our region now have advanced capabilities—such as submarines, next-generation air combat, and highly capable land forces. New weapons and technologies—including hypersonic glide and long-range missiles, autonomous systems, space capabilities, AI and cyber,” said the defence minister.
All of which, she revealed, had increased “the range, speed, precision and lethality” of their armed forces.
“Australia must be prepared to face these challenges,” said Reynolds.
Australia to Become a Regional Protector
The Morrison government announced on July 1 that it would overhaul the Australian defence forces by investing $270 billion over the next ten years to expand its capabilities and activities into the Indo-Pacific region.Included in the expansion of military capabilities will be the purchase of long-range missiles and space infrastructure.
To address these concerns, Australia will initiate plans to develop and shape its regional environment by working with its neighbours and regional friends.
By doing so, Reynolds believes that Australia can ensure countries adhere to a rules-based order, respect others’ sovereignty, peace, and prosperity.
Defence to Tackle the ‘Grey’ Area of Hybrid Warfare in Peace Times
The minister also highlighted that the ADF would move into the developing field of conflict called “grey zone warfare” or “hybrid conflict”—also known by China analysts as “unrestricted warfare.”Countries are increasingly “seeking to exploit the grey area between peace and war” by using tactics that fall beneath the threshold of armed combat, Reynolds explained.
Grey-zone tactics are considered by conflict analysts to be part of hybridised warfare that is currently emerging in the newly competitive international environment.
Everything short of open warfare.
Pronk went on to explain that even though grey-zone activities use covert and overt actions by the military, intelligence service, diplomatic core, and financial organisations, the activities do not justify retaliation because they are not covered by international law.
Pronk identified China, North Korea, and Russia as three nations that utilise these tactics.
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