A new review has found Australia’s Defence Force is no longer “fit for purpose”. 

Australia's biggest review of defence strategy in 35 years has called for a stronger focus on maritime and amphibious missions and the acquisition of long-range strike weapons. 

The report also highlighted the growing threat of cyber warfare and the proliferation of long-range precision strike weapons. 

While acknowledging the remote possibility of a continental invasion, the review stressed that the threat of military force or coercion against Australia does not require an invasion. 

The government has identified six priority areas for immediate action, including the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines and the development of the Defence Force's ability to strike targets at long range. 

The recommendations adopted by the government will cost $19 billion over four years, with $7.8 billion in savings identified by cutting, delaying, or cancelling a range of programs.

 Defence Minister Richard Marles said the review represented a watershed moment for defence policy in the country's history, providing for an Australian Defence Force befitting a much more confident and self-reliant nation. 

The review was critical of Defence's procurement processes and recommended buying more military equipment off-the-shelf and with less focus on building locally. 

The review also called for better integration between the army, air force, and navy to deal with the five military domains of air, land, sea, space, and cyber. 

Potential changes to navy programs are in limbo while a review is carried out of the fleet mix, which is due by September. 

The review also called for an end to the “balanced force” where the ADF was able to respond to a range of emergencies in favour of a “focused force” to address the most serious risks. 

The army will be transformed and optimised for littoral manoeuvre operations by sea, land and air from Australia, with enhanced long-range fires. 

The review also flagged giving combat brigades new roles, shifting more personnel to northern Australia and prioritising the purchase of new landing craft and long-range missiles. 

The air force will also require more pilots to ensure fighter jets and surveillance planes can operate at a higher tempo, but the review ruled out buying the under development B-21 bomber from the US.

The review recommends that Defence procurements be overhauled, with project managers given less latitude to make design changes and “indulge in the quest for perfectionism”.

Defence must, where possible, acquire more platforms and capabilities via sole source or off-the-shelf procurement, and limit or eliminate design changes and modifications, according to the report. 

Australian industry content and domestic production must be balanced against timely capability acquisition, with previous government direction skewed towards meeting mandated Australian industry content at the expense of capability outcomes.

The full report is accessible here.