Australia to spend US$340 million on upgrading special forces with one eye on Chinese influence in the Pacific

The investment represents ‘the biggest single commitment to upgrading the capability of our defence forces since the Second World War’

Funding will mostly be for equipment, including body armour, weapons, diving and parachuting equipment and roping and climbing systems

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Australia said last month it would create a new military unit to train and assist its allies in the Pacific. Photo: EPA

Published: 3:04pm, 12 Aug 2019Updated: 9:05pm, 12 Aug 2019

Australia will spend A$500 million (US$340 million) to improve the capability of its special forces troops, the first stage of a US$3 billion, 20-year plan that the government said on Monday will enable a better response to security threats at home and abroad.

The spending comes after some high-profile security incidents in Sydney and Melbourne in recent years and as Australia seeks to play a more prominent role in the Pacific, where China is seeking greater influence.

According to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the investment represents “the biggest single commitment to upgrading the capability of our defence forces since the Second World War”.

“Australian Special Forces undertake complex, highly demanding operations in high threat environments,” Morrison said ahead of the announcement. “Global threats will continue to evolve. This funding will ensure our Special Forces have cutting edge capabilities to stay ahead of those who might threaten Australia’s interests.”

Australia said last month it would create a new military unit to train and assist its allies in the Pacific. Photo: AP

Defence minister Linda Reynolds said the funding would mostly be for equipment, including body armour, weapons, diving and parachuting equipment and roping and climbing systems. It would also go towards medical search and rescue, communications, and “human performance training and support”.

“Our special forces, now more than ever, need to be ready and able to deploy on operations anywhere in the world, at short notice, and in very uncertain conditions,” Reynolds said.