Australia Accelerates Armament Acquisition Amid China Threat

A supplied photograph of an Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank firing at targets during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal training area, Victoria, Australia on May 17, 2018. AAP Image/Supplied by Australian Department of Defence

Australia is rapidly accelerating the rate at which it can procure new defence equipment and technology amid a globally deteriorating strategic environment.

Defence Industry, Science and Technology Minister Melissa Price has spearheaded the changes, which will involve slashing swathes of red tape that previously extended project negotiations by several years.