More US military forces needed in Australia to guarantee security

With the global balance of military power rapidly shifting, Australia should deepen its military alliance with United States and strengthen its security ties with India and Indonesia, finds a Centre for Independent Studies submission to the 2015 Defence White Paper.

“To offset Australia’s growing strategic disadvantages vis-à-vis its giant Asian neighbours, it should host additional US naval and air force assets in its north and west,” says Dr Benjamin Herscovitch, author of the submission.

“Stationing US naval vessels at HMAS Stirling in Perth and US air force air craft at RAAF Base Tindal outside Katherine, for example, would act as a force multiplier for the sea and air denial capabilities necessary to protect Australia’s northern approaches against would-be aggressors.”

“These additional US forces would also help keep Asia’s balance of power in equilibrium as China continues its military resurgence.”

Dr Herscovitch says Australia should equally guard against the risk of strategic overdependence on the United States by expanding its strategic partnership with India and its comprehensive partnership with Indonesia. “The government should consider establishing an annual tri-lateral naval exercise between India, Indonesia and Australia, and instituting biennial Indian-Australian foreign and defence (‘2+2’) ministerial consultations.

“Strengthening Australia’s security ties with India and Indonesia is logical and long overdue,” Dr Herscovitch says. “India and Indonesia will emerge as two of Asia’s most formidable powers during the planning period covered by the next defence white paper, while both nations broadly share Australia’s liberal democratic values and strategic interests in Asia.”

Four of the world’s five biggest military spenders in 2050 will be Asian nations. China’s defence budget will be the largest in the world and worth more than US$1 trillion, while military spending in India, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, and Japan is likely to approach US$300 billion, US$200 billion, and US$130 billion, respectively.

Dr Benjamin Herscovitch is a Research Fellow at The Centre for Independent Studies. He is available for comment.

Access the submission: [link].

Media Enquiries: Karla Pincott I I 0411 759 934