Australian Defence Readiness Under Scrutiny, Expert Warns of Strategic Liability
A former US intelligence agent and special forces soldier has sounded the alarm on Australia’s defence preparedness, cautioning that the country may not be keeping pace with strategic demands.
John Powers, a dual-citizen and former US special forces brigade commander, expressed concerns that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) may not be adequately manned, equipped, and sustained to keep pace with the United States.
Defence Budget Under Fire
Powers’ warning echoes the sentiments of US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who urged Defence Minister Richard Marles in May to increase Australia’s defence budget to 3.5% of the country’s gross domestic product.
This would mean tens of billions of dollars more in military spending each year.
Capability Gaps and Submarine Pact Concerns
Powers also cast doubts on the AUKUS submarine pact between Australia, the US, and the UK, questioning whether the American-built Virginia-class submarines would ever arrive on Australian shores.
He expressed concerns about the limitations in submarine production capacity, which could hinder the delivery of the vessels.
The Pentagon has announced a review of the alliance, with Admiral Daryl Caudle, the US navy’s nominee for Chief of Naval Operations, warning that the US industrial base must double its attack submarine output to meet commitments under the deal.
Expert Calls for Transformational Improvement
Admiral Caudle stressed that a “transformational improvement” was needed to reach the required output, requiring a 100% increase in capacity.
Australia has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars into US shipbuilding capacity, with an additional $800 million payment confirmed last month.