Certain Defence Projects to Be Scrapped to Realign ADF Against China Threat

Restructuring all 3 ADF branches is inevitable and Mr. Marles added that he was hamstrung by a Defence budget that contained an $42 billion shortfall.

Australian Army soldiers from 10th Force Support Battalion's Amphibious Beaching Team await the arrival of troops on an Lighter Landing Craft during Exercise Trident 2022 near Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Courtesy of the Australian Defence Force

Despite projections that Australia’s Defence spending is set to increase, some projects will be delayed or scrapped altogether as the military looks for the best bang for their buck as strategy is realigned to counteract the growing threat of China in the Indo-Pacific.

Speaking at think-tank The Sydney Institute on April 4, Defence Minister Richard Marles said “tough but necessary” decisions would have to be made in the upcoming Federal budget to accommodate recommendations from 2023’s Defence Strategic Review (DRS).