Australia may need to revisit the nuclear weapon debate, expert warns
Australia may need to weigh up gaining nuclear weapons to counter the rise of China, a security expert has warned.
Hugh White, a former top Defence Department official and intelligence analyst, told nine.com.au Australia needs an urgent review of its military capabilities.
“There’s a massive shift in Australia’s strategic situation taking place.
Defence expert Hugh White (Australian National University). Supplied
“For the first time since European settlement of Australia, we no longer can assume that we’ll have a strong military ally such as Britain or America as the dominant military power in the Pacific.”
Prof White argues in his new book ‘How to Defend Australia’ that the prospect of waning US power over the coming years will force Canberra to address key security questions.
The rise of Chinese military might is a challenge for Australia and its allies. AP
China’s economy is forecast to be twice the size of America’s by 2030, and Beijing is rapidly modernising and expanding its armed forces.
THE NUCLEAR OPTION
Prof White suggests Australia may have to revisit the question of whether to acquire its own nuclear deterrent.
“It’s very controversial and I don’t advocate it. But as appalling as it is, it’s unrealistic not to acknowledge that one day we’ll have to revisit the question of whether we gain nuclear weapons,” he said.
Australia may have to consider acquiring its own nuclear weapons in the future, argues Hugh White. Getty
He thinks Australia should only consider a defensive nuclear arsenal such as submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
The last time Australia flagged developing its own nuclear deterrent was in the 1960s when prime minister Robert Menzies was in power.
Australia is among the nations that signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Following Prof White's remarks, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds issuing a statement saying: "Australia stands by its Non-Proliferation Treaty pledge, as a non-nuclear weapon state, not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons".
BIGGER DEFENCE BUDGET NEEDED
Prof White argues in his book defence spending will have to jump from 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent to meet China’s continuing rise.
Robert Menzies was the last Australian prime minister who considered gaining a nuclear deterrent in the 1960s. Getty
He says it adds up to spending an extra $30 billion a year on defence.
“It’s a huge rise but we should expect that when we move to a strategic environment in which we can’t continue to count on American support.”
RETHINK SUBMARINES
Among Prof White’s other controversial plans is the scrapping of the $50 billion French-designed future submarines program.
He would like to see them replaced with at least 24 more affordable vessels, based on Australia’s current Collins Class boats.
“Submarines are important is stopping other powers projecting power towards Australia. Under current plans, we run the risk of not having enough of them for too long a period.”
MORE JOINT STRIKE FIGHTERS
Prof White also warned defence chiefs will need to purchase more than double the current 72 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft to safeguard the nation from air and sea attack.
The F-35 stealth fighter developed by the US. AAP
“The JSF plays a vital role in our defence. But I think we’re going to need a larger frontline fighter fleet. Instead of the total force of 100 fighters, we’ll probably need somewhere around 200.”
TOUGH CHOICES
Prof White says he hopes his book will lead to serious debate in government and the wider community about Australia’s future defence posture.
“Both sides of politics have talked about the importance of defending the country. But neither have taken it seriously.”
He said politicians from all parties shouldn’t assume the US will remain the dominant power in the Asia Pacific.
“We need a tough and honest debate about how we will defend ourselves.”
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
