Australia Military Forces 🇦🇺

Strategic Position

Australia’s defense policy is centered on the Indo-Pacific region, guided by the 2024 National Defence Strategy and subsequent updates for 2025 and 2026. The core doctrine is a "Strategy of Denial," intended to deter potential adversaries from using military force or coercion against Australia or its interests. This strategy represents a shift toward a "National Defence" approach, integrating all elements of national power beyond traditional military force.

Primary security concerns involve the rapid military modernization in the Indo-Pacific and the potential for regional conflict that could disrupt maritime trade routes. Australia maintains a foundational alliance with the United States through the ANZUS Treaty. It also operates within the AUKUS security partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States, and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with India, Japan, and the U.S. In 2025, Australia deepened its bilateral ties with the UK through the Geelong Treaty, a 50-year agreement focused on the construction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines. Regionally, Australia maintains defense cooperation through the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and bilateral security pacts with Pacific Island nations and Southeast Asian partners such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

Military Forces

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is an integrated force comprising the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). As of mid-2025, personnel levels stand at approximately 59,000 active-duty members and 33,000 reserve personnel.

Royal Australian Navy The navy operates a fleet of Hobart-class guided-missile destroyers and Anzac-class frigates. Under the Independent Surface Combatant Fleet Review, the force is transitioning to a larger surface fleet that will include Hunter-class anti-submarine frigates and a new class of general-purpose frigates. The submarine service currently operates Collins-class diesel-electric boats, which are undergoing Life of Type Extensions (LOTE) to maintain capability until the delivery of Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) in the 2030s. Unmanned maritime systems, such as the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV), are entering service in 2026.

Australian Army The army is being restructured into a high-technology, long-range strike force. It operates M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles. The transition to the Redback infantry fighting vehicle is underway to replace the aging M113 fleet. Artillery units are integrating HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) and the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer, which began delivery in early 2026.

Royal Australian Air Force The RAAF’s air combat capability is centered on the F-35A Lightning II, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. Maritime surveillance is conducted by P-8A Poseidon aircraft and MQ-4C Triton unmanned platforms. The air force is also developing the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, an autonomous "loyal wingman" platform.

Specialized Capabilities Specialized domains include the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), which manages cyber operations under the REDSPICE program, and the ADF Space Command, which coordinates orbital assets and satellite communications.

Defense Industry

Australia prioritizes the development of a sovereign defense industrial base to reduce reliance on international supply chains. Key domestic players include ASC for submarine sustainment and Austal for naval shipbuilding. Thales Australia manufactures the Bushmaster and Hawkei protected mobility vehicles, as well as small arms and munitions.

The Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise is a central industrial priority. In late 2025, Australia opened a dedicated facility for the domestic assembly of GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) missiles in partnership with Lockheed Martin. Agreements are also in place with Kongsberg to establish manufacturing for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM) by 2027. Australia remains an exporter of defense technology, notably through its participation in the global F-35 supply chain.

Strategic Trends

Defense spending for the 2025-2026 fiscal year is approximately 2.05% of GDP, with projections to reach 2.4% by the early 2030s. The primary procurement trend is the acquisition of long-range strike capabilities, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM).

AUKUS remains the most complex long-term modernization program, involving the establishmemt of a nuclear-powered submarine industrial base in South Australia and Western Australia. A preliminary design review for the SSN-AUKUS class is scheduled for late 2026.

The military faces several constraints, most notably personnel recruitment and retention, which have fallen below targets required for the planned expansion to 80,000 members by 2040. Additionally, the ADF is undergoing a geographic shift, with increased investment in northern basing infrastructure to facilitate operations in Australia’s northern approaches.