BLUF
Priorities should focus on credible threats and strategic needs—not political pressure or alliance expectations—which calls for smarter spending, not necessarily bigger budgets. Australia’s core defence task remains defending the air-sea gap. Political limits to spending.Learning Outcomes
- Strategic Awareness-The article encourages critical reflection on when and why defence spending should increase—helping readers assess strategic priorities and risks.
- Critical Thinking-It challenges common assumptions about spending more for security, prompting deeper analysis of Australia’s actual defence needs.
- Technological Literacy-The discussion of submarine and naval investments highlights how technology choices must align with credible defence strategies.
