Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton warned on Tuesday that the outbreak of war with China is a possibility, as his country has ramped up its armament efforts ahead of schedule. Dutton stated that the acceleration of the Australian military's arming with long-range missiles and the increase in military budget is a response to the war in Ukraine and the threat posed by "authoritarian regimes" to "free democracies around the world," referring to China, as reported by the British newspaper "Daily Mail." He added, "The world has been shocked by what we have seen in Europe and Ukraine, and we hope that does not extend to other countries."
He continued, "But we are concerned about what is happening in the Indo-Pacific regions, and this (quick armament) is connected to our readiness to deter any aggressive actions against our country." The Australian minister is practically referring to China, which has increased its military activity in these regions, and Canberra sees it as a threat.
To counter what Australia describes as the "Chinese threat," it has joined the "Quad" alliance, which also includes the United States, India, and Japan, as well as the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance, which includes the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and the U.K. Dutton warned that the increase in "Chinese aggression" suggests that the possibility of war with Beijing is real.
Under the new budget of approximately $3.5 billion, Australian fighter jets and warships will be equipped with long-range missiles, years ahead of the scheduled timeline. These missiles can strike targets up to 900 kilometers away, with their production entrusted to American companies, while Australia aims to develop its manufacturing capabilities in this area in the medium term. The minister stated that enhancements to "Super Hornet" fighter jets with air-to-ground missiles must be expedited "so that Australia is not intimidated."
Chinese-Australian relations are extremely strained over various issues, from the coronavirus to cyberattacks, and the growing Chinese military presence in the Indo-Pacific regions.
