CANBERRA: Defence planners urged Australia's military on Monday to maintain a stronger presence in the country's north and northwest to guard the booming resource industry and be better placed to respond to challenges from Asia and the Indian Ocean.
An interim report of Australia's defence posture review said a more visible military presence could counter perceptions that offshore oil and gas projects could be easy targets.
The recommendation could see more navy exercises and new amphibious assault ships off the northwest coast, home to the iron ore industry and around A$200 billion ($212 billion) worth of liquefied natural gas projects, and a stronger navy presence around the coal and gas-rich Queensland state.
"The review makes the point that there is a perception in the north and north west of Australia of a lack of visibility, which undermines the notion of the defend Australia policy," Defence Minister Stephen Smith told reporters.
Smith set up the posture review last June and will receive its final report in March. Final decisions will be made with a wider review of the nation's defence strategy to 2030.
The United States, Australia's top strategic ally, also plans to increase its Asia Pacific presence and US President Barack Obama has announced plans to position 2,500 marines in a de facto base in northern Australia.
China is also expanding its military and modernising its navy, moves that have alarmed other countries in the region, especially Taiwan and Japan, while India is building a blue-water navy to extend its strategic reach.
The Philippines is considering a US proposal to deploy surveillance aircraft temporarily to enhance its ability to guard disputed areas in the South China Sea.
The posture review said that sea remained a potential flashpoint, while the risk of a major conflict on the Korean peninsula posed significant regional security challenges.
"Securing sea lines of communication and energy supplies will be a strategic driver for both competiton and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region to 2030, and Austrlaia's defence posture will need to place greater emhasis on the Indian Ocean," the review said.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.