Photo: Defence Connect

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles have announced in parliament they have received the final Defence Strategic Review (DSR) report.

Conducted over six months, the DSR was informed by engagements with more than 150 individuals and experts including Defence officials, Australian Defence Force personnel, defence industry, national security think tanks and academics, representatives from the states and territories, and interest groups.

In addition, the leads of the review received over 360 submissions from the general public, interested parties, organisations, and state and territory governments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “The Defence Strategic Review will help prepare Australia to effectively respond to the changing regional and global strategic environment and ensure Defence’s capability and structure is fit for purpose and delivers the greatest return on investment.

Authored by former minister for defence, Professor the Hon Stephen Smith and former chief of the Defence Force, Sir Angus Houston, the Defence Strategic Review is an independently led examination of Australia’s defence force posture, force structure, and capabilities.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Males foreshadowed the growing importance of the Review’s findings, stating, “The Defence Strategic Review is an ambitious and extensive examination of our strategic circumstances and will underpin our defence policy for decades to come. Australia must be resolute in its responsibility to safeguard our region and keep adversaries further from our shores.

“I thank His Excellency Professor the Hon Stephen Smith and former Chief of the Defence Force, Sir Angus Houston, for their dedication and commitment to the task, and producing a body of work which will inform key decision making for government,” the Deputy Prime Minister added.

The Albanese government will now take the necessary time to consider the review and its recommendations.

Defence Connect recently spoke with XTEK Group chairman and industry insider Mark Stevens who discussed his forecast for the outcome of the Defence Strategic Review.

Read More