Australia rearms

[Siege]

What's Australia's population?
30 millions, right?

How can they afford 12 submarines and a 100 new planes?


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8030292.stm

Australia outlines military plans

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that the spending did not target China [/t] Australia is to announce about $73bn (£49bn) in defence spending aimed at equipping its military for the next two decades.  Key purchases include 100 fighter jets and 12 new submarines, replacing the current fleet of six. Eight frigates and 24 combat helicopters are also on the list, in the country's first defence white paper for 10 years. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd denied that the spending was a response to China.  "It follows very plainly that here in the Asia-Pacific region, there are in certain parts of the region the build-up of armed forces," he said on Friday. "We simply need to take a calm, measured, responsible approach for the future." The white paper will be published later on Saturday. 'Self-reliance' Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said that the paper acknowledged that the emergence of new powers could lead to some strategic competition across the globe. "It's very prudent for the government to ensure against the rift that might flow from that increased strategic competition and, of course, it's very prudent for us to recommit to that doctrine of self-reliance," he told Australian radio. "In other words, we need to be able to defend our country without necessarily relying on the assistance of other nation states." The 12 new hunter-killer submarines - which will be built in Australia - will replace the current fleet of six. One hundred F-35 fighters will also be purchased over the next decade. Funds will also be allocated to counter cyber and electronic warfare.

[Neil]

More like 20 million.

[KRonn]

I'd think that hardware is pretty affordable for the Aussies? Not really all that much.

[Lettow77]

I think this is good news, and good for Australia.

[Neil]

And 73 billion over 20 years isn't really all that much for a first-world economy.  Remember that Australia is one of the Five Great Anglophone Nations, the greatest and most powerful people on the planet.

[Drakken]

And 73 billion over 20 years isn't really all that much for a first-world economy.  Remember that Australia is one of the Five Great Anglophone Nations, the greatest and most powerful people on the planet.

Which is ironic, given that the island was forcifully populated by the dregs and scumbags of the Metropole. 

[Syt]

Which is ironic, given that the island was forcifully populated by the dregs and scumbags of the Metropole. 

Well, to be fair - they only sent the dregs and scumbags that had refused to leave voluntarily to the Americas.

[Tonitrus]

And 73 billion over 20 years isn't really all that much for a first-world economy.  Remember that Australia is one of the Five Great Anglophone Nations, the greatest and most powerful people on the planet.

And it could end up being one of those "we're going to Mars in 20 years" things, that never actually ever happens.

[Viking]

In the same period Norway with 4.5M people is buying 50 of those same fighters and 6 frigates and 6 smaller submarines. Anybody near Russia or China can be expected to something similar.

[DisturbedPervert]

Hopefully some of those F-35s will be the carrier version. 

[Alatriste]

Hopefully some of those F-35s will be the carrier version. 

Well, the Australians bought to us two small aircraft carriers designed to be JSF-capable (27,000 tons each). It seems only logical to buy F-35s to equip them when the time comes. I suppose Great Britain, Spain and Italy will do the same to replace their Harriers.   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Carlos_(LHD1)

[Alatriste]

And 73 billion over 20 years isn't really all that much for a first-world economy.  Remember that Australia is one of the Five Great Anglophone Nations, the greatest and most powerful people on the planet.

Rule Britannia, baby. The anglosphere is but a poor subsitute for the British Empire and its Commonwealth of Nations 

[Damn, this smiley really needs a cigar and a 'V']

Besides, I wonder which one are you letting out: New Zealand or Ireland... Where do the Small Anglophone Nations start?

[Neil]

And 73 billion over 20 years isn't really all that much for a first-world economy.  Remember that Australia is one of the Five Great Anglophone Nations, the greatest and most powerful people on the planet.

Rule Britannia, baby. The anglosphere is but a poor subsitute for the British Empire and its Commonwealth of Nations 

[Damn, this smiley really needs a cigar and a 'V']

Besides, I wonder which one are you letting out: New Zealand or Ireland... Where do the Small Anglophone Nations start?

The Five Great Anglophone Nations are:  The United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Ireland is a rebellious colony that never really worked out until it was rebuilt with charity from the Great Nations (and the Germans).

[Josquius]

I dunno...New Zealand is hardly great and Ireland though itself quite insignificant had a huge effect on the development of the anglosphere.

[Neil]

I dunno...New Zealand is hardly great and Ireland's though itself quite insignificant had a huge effect on the development of the anglosphere.

New Zealand is a fascinating place, and the people are loyal to the anglosphere, if a bit soft.