There’s always a certain anticlimax when the latest Defence White Paper is released. The once-feverish anticipation eases as firm plans are set in concrete and potential maybes are accepted or rejected. However, there’s more to White Papers than simply that which creates short-term excitement. This new White Paper is no different. Of particular note is its continuance of what might be termed the ‘third age’ of Australian Defence White Papers. What might this mean downstream?
The first age commenced post-Vietnam with the 1976 Defence White Paper (PDF). This envisaged a force-in-being possessing sufficient capabilities and capacities to manage likely short notice contingencies while providing an expandable core force. Hidden from public view was the belief that Indonesia possessed ‘attributes of both an ally and an adversary‘ (PDF), and although major war was unlikely, low-level harassment was conceivable. Worse still, US support was considered doubtful, making a level of self-reliance crucial. The first age continued with the 1987 Defence White Paper, which declared defence of Australia the main force structure determinant and emphasised air and naval forces. That strategy meant that ADF joint warfare was in vogue, unique Australian military equipment was essential and Australian defence industry had a well-specified function.
The second age was ushered in by al Qaeda’s attacks in 2001. The Australian government was disappointed with the limited American involvement in the 1999 East Timor operation. Now 9/11 offered a way past this; Afghanistan and Iraq were not important in themselves, but rather as opportunities to deepen the Australia-US relationship. This age was formally reflected not in White Papers but in three Defence Updates (2003, 2005 and 2007). This strategy meant ADF joint warfare was out while tactical level forces able to integrate quickly into large US-led coalitions were in. At the same time, there were no longer any unique Australian requirements and Australian industry’s usefulness was mainly as shopfronts for large US companies.
To read the full “The third age of Australian Defence White Papers continues” article by Griffith Asia Institute Visiting Fellow Peter Layton, please visit The Strategist.
