In light of China’s escalating imperialism in the Indo-Pacific region, Australia has announced a significant defense spending increase. Much of the new funding will go toward purchasing some of the newest U.S. weapons systems.
This is good news for everyone in the region and the world — except for China, that is. Reacting to Prime Minister Scott Morrison‘s announcement on Wednesday, China’s primary Western-focus propaganda outlet warned that Canberra “will have some hard thinking to do over how to make up for the huge gap between its strategic resources and aims, and how to make best use of its advantages while bypassing its disadvantages.”
This show of concern is at once telling and gratifying.
Think of this as a lesson about the use of honey versus vinegar to attract bees. Xi Jinping has spent the past few years doing as much as he can to alienate his neighbor down under. China’s continuous economic pressure and relentless intelligence subterfuge against Canberra has reflected a desire to punish Australia for its American alliance and support for international law.
These arms purchases show that the pressure has had the exact opposite of its intended effect. Beijing is well aware that these arms purchases reflect Australia’s desire to reinforce its alliance with the United States. Australia’s comparatively limited resources can play an outsize role in serving its strategic aims.
Canberra’s procurement focus proves as much. Of specific note is the purchase of the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, which sells for $3 million apiece. With a presumed range of 300 nautical miles, the missile will greatly enhance the ability of American and allied forces to undercut China’s battle plan for a South China Sea conflict. That plan will likely center on using its own long-range weapons and air defense systems to establish strongholds around certain artificial islands. But if China cannot preserve its strongholds, its forces will be vulnerable to separation and gradual destruction, which forces them back to the mainland.
Notable also is Australia’s intent to purchase new electronic warfare, airborne warning, and at-sea replenishment systems. These assets would be particularly useful in sustaining an allied effort to deny China’s forward power projection. Put simply, Morrison’s new defense plan fits almost perfectly with what would be needed to fight most effectively alongside U.S. forces against China.
Considering that the prospect of a conflict with China is growing every month, these purchases should be welcomed by everyone. Once again, Australia is proving it is a great ally.
