Australia promises major boost to size of armed forces
The ADF will add approximately 18,500 new uniformed personnel in the coming 18 years. (Gordon Arthur)
Alarmed by increasing strategic competition and belligerent states, Australia has promised to increase the size of its military by nearly a third.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will undergo its largest expansion since the Vietnam War, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing on 10 March that personnel numbers would rise by approximately 30% over the next couple of decades.
The plan will see ADF staffing rise to almost 80,000 by 2040, a rise of 18,500 uniformed personnel compared to now. This will be the largest Australia’s military has been since the 1970s at the height of the Vietnam War.
These additional personnel are needed to ‘build the resilience we need in critical areas, and enable our people to increase intelligence, information and communications
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences]()
Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences
The Canadian Department of National Defence has created new organisations to manage the procurement and integration of all-domain solutions and allocated US$258.33 million to strengthen production capacities.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
-
![Leonardo unveils plans for Michelangelo air defence dome]()
Leonardo unveils plans for Michelangelo air defence dome
The new multi-layered defence system will harness AI to neutralise airborne threats and protect Europe from Russian aggression.
