Australia in brief Defence and security

Australia works closely with other countries to promote security in the Asia-Pacific region and further afield.

Australia’s defence and security policy is multidimensional, comprising a number of complementary elements – strong alliances and bilateral relationships, a versatile military capability, and emphasis on regional cooperation.  Australia’s response to security challenges such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and weak and failing states is multifaceted, and includes involvement of a wide range of agencies including: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Defence, Australian Federal Police (AFP), state law enforcement agencies, Intelligence, Border control, Financial intelligence bodies, Customs, and Transport security.

Defending Australia’s national interests

The mission of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is to defend Australia and its national interests.

In response to the complexities of the global environment, the ADF is making the necessary investments in capabilities required to respond to a broad range of contingencies including threats such as terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and to the challenges posed by fragile and vulnerable states in our region.

The ADF has four strategic tasks that guide the development of its military capabilities. These are:

• ensuring the defence of Australia
• contributing to the security of Australia’s immediate neighbourhood
• supporting wider interests by contributing to international coalitions to meet crises beyond Australia’s immediate neighbourhood
• undertaking peacetime national tasks that support wider Australian interests.

Engagement on security issues

In addition to its longstanding bilateral defence and security links with countries in the region, Australia is also expanding bilateral, regional and multilateral links, including dialogues on a range of non-military issues such as pandemics, counter-narcotics, transnational crime and counter-terrorism.

The enduring relationship between the United States and Australia is highly valued as are our growing ties with the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Indonesia and Japan in pursuing common strategic and defence interests, particularly in countering global and regional terrorist threats.

Australia enjoys close and productive relations with China and India.  We have valuable longstanding defence ties with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea and are developing further ties with many countries in the Asia-Pacific.

Terrorism and the new strategic landscape

The strategic landscape in Australia and the world has changed radically in recent years, with the threat of terrorism and concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction becoming increasingly prominent.

The Australian Government’s response to terrorism has been decisive and wide ranging with the aim of protecting Australians and Australian interests both at home and overseas.

The Australian Government works closely with state, territory, and local governments, as well as the private sector and the community in building an effective, nation-wide counter-terrorism capability; and by contributing to regional and global efforts to counter terrorism.

Over a dozen Australian agencies are involved in counter terrorism capacity building efforts in the region, with key areas including law enforcement, intelligence, border control and transport security, defence, counter-terrorist financing and anti-money laundering, legal training and emergency response.

Peace and humanitarian missions

Australia has made many contributions to world peace by serving in peace and humanitarian operations and acting as UN and multinational peacekeepers and observers for over 50 years. Australia is currently the 12^th largest financial contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget.

As part of wider diplomatic efforts, Australia has participated in over 50 peace operations, either under the auspices of the UN or as part of other multinational efforts, many of these sanctioned by the UN. Australian personnel have been deployed on peace missions, in places as close to home as East Timor and the Solomon Islands, and as far away as Somalia and the Western Sahara. Their efforts have assisted numerous peace processes aimed at avoiding, resolving or containing conflict.

Australian military and police personnel were deployed to East Timor when violence erupted after the East Timorese people voted for independence in 1999. With the authority of the United Nations behind it, Australia established and led a multinational force, and contributed the largest number of personnel (over 5500).

In the Middle East, ADF personnel are part of the UN Truce Supervision Organization operating in Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Australia has been part of this mission since 1956 and the current commitment is 12 personnel. Australia also contributes to the Multinational Force and Observers in Egypt’s Sinai Desert. Currently, 25 Australian personnel assist in this mission.  In Cyprus, Australian police have been deployed as part of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus since it began in 1964.

Australian military personnel have served in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Bougainville, Cambodia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Namibia, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan and Zimbabwe. The ADF contributed to emergency relief efforts in Pakistan following the October 2005 earthquake, in Indonesia following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami and in Papua New Guinea following Cyclone Guba in 2007.

Current international operations

As at January 2008, up to 3500 Australian Defence Force personnel and 350 Australian Federal Police personnel are deployed on operations overseas to protect Australia and its national interests. In addition, up to 450 ADF personnel are deployed to conduct maritime protection operations in Australia’s Economic Exclusion Zone.

Current operational deployments include:

• the Australian Government’s maritime, air and logistics support contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq
• the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of East Timor to assist in restoring peace and stability to their country
• Operation Slipper, the ADF contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. This operation is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world
• the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to assists the Solomon Islands Government in restoring law and order, economic governance, and improving the machinery of government.

Defence and science

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is the Australian Government’s lead agency charged with applying science and technology to protect and defend Australia and its national interests.

DSTO supports Australia’s defence by:

• investigating future technologies for defence applications
• ensuring Australia is a smart buyer of defence equipment
• developing new defence capabilities
• enhancing existing capabilities by increasing operational effectiveness, improving safety, maximising availability and reducing the cost of ownership.

DSTO’s capability also supports whole-of-government national security needs. DSTO works closely with the industry, science and technology community to enhance its ability to support Australia’s defence and national security capabilities and to contribute to national wealth.

Defence and industry

The Australian Government is committed to building a sustainable in-country defence industry that can support a technologically advanced ADF. The primary goal of defence industry policy is to ensure the cost-effective delivery of equipment and support to the ADF’s unique operating environments and Australia’s strategic circumstances.

Defence relies heavily on the private sector not just for military equipment but for a range of goods and services across the portfolio – from catering and base support to medical services, information technology and building construction.

Throughout Australia, an estimated 19 000 people are employed in the defence industry, particularly in the aerospace, naval shipbuilding and repair, electronics and land vehicles sectors.

Online

• Department of Defence
• Australian Army
• Royal Australian Air Force
• Royal Australian Navy
• Defence Science and Technology Organisation
• Australian Federal Police

 

Updated June 2008