Australian defence priorities by timescale

What technologies should Australia prioritise to deter China?

Prioritise rapidly deployable uncrewed and missile systems now, build helicopters, refuelling capacity, and frigates next, and sustain the SSN and longer-range air-defence effort for long-term deterrence.

Australia's priorities change with the timescale. Immediate needs favour uncrewed assets and portable anti-surface missile systems that can deploy forward quickly. Medium-term investment would add helicopters, refuelling assets, and capable frigates that Australia's economy and maritime industrial base can sustain. Over the long term, SSNs would push the defensive perimeter farther from Australia and create more diplomatic room to manoeuvre. A successor to Patriot, or an improved Patriot system, would help defend against faster and longer-range threats.