Editing Australian Defence Force (section)

==History==
{{Main|Military history of Australia|History of the Royal Australian Navy|History of the Australian Army|History of the Royal Australian Air Force}}

===Formation===
[[Image:HMAS Melbourne (R21) and USS Midway (CV-41) underway, 16 May 1981 (6380752).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=An aerial photo of an aircraft carrier with several aircraft on her flight deck. Another carrier is visible in the background.|The retirement of the aircraft carrier {{HMAS|Melbourne|R21|6}} without replacement in 1982 marked a shift away from the policy of "forward defence".{{sfn|Horner|2001|p=55}}]]
By 1870, each of the then Australian colonies [[Colonial forces of Australia|maintained their own military forces]]. On 1 January 1901, the colonies [[Federation of Australia|federated into a new nation]] and on 1 March 1901, these colonial forces were amalgamated to establish the [[Australian Army]] and Commonwealth Naval Force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Australian Army |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/understanding-military-structure/army |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Australian War Memorial}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greg |first=Swinden |date=2011-06-14 |title=Australasian Naval Forces and Commonwealth Naval Forces |url=https://navyhistory.au/australasian-naval-forces-and-commonwealth-naval-forces/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Naval Historical Society of Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref>{{sfn|Grey|2008|p=67}} In 1911, the government established the [[Royal Australian Navy]], which absorbed the Commonwealth Naval Force.{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|p=467}} The Army established the [[Australian Flying Corps]] in 1912 which was separated to form the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] in 1921.{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|pp=61, 457}} The services were not linked by a single chain of command, as they each reported to their own separate Minister and had separate administrative arrangements. The three services saw action around the world during [[Military history of Australia during World War I|World War I]] and [[Military history of Australia during World War II|World War II]], and took part in conflicts in Asia during the [[Cold War]].{{sfn|Horner|2007|pp=145–150}}

The importance of [[joint warfare]] was made clear to the Australian military during World War II when Australian naval, ground and air units frequently served as part of single commands. Following the war, several senior officers lobbied for the appointment of a [[commander in chief|commander-in-chief]] of the three services. The government rejected this proposal and the three services remained fully independent.{{sfn|Horner|2001|p=42}} The absence of a central authority resulted in poor coordination between the services, with each service organising and operating under different [[military doctrine]].{{sfn|Horner|2001|p=44}}

The need for an integrated command structure received more emphasis due to inefficient arrangements [[Military history of Australia during the Vietnam War|during the Vietnam War]] which at times hindered the military's efforts.{{sfn|Horner|2001|p=44}} In 1973, the Secretary of the [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Department of Defence]], [[Arthur Tange]], submitted a report to the Government that recommended the unification of the separate departments supporting each service under a single ''Department of Defence,'' and the creation of the position of Chief of the Defence Force Staff. The government accepted these recommendations, and the Australian Defence Force was established on 9 February 1976.{{sfn|Horner|2001|p=47}}

===Defence of Australia era===
[[Image:Kangaroo 89.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A group of men wearing green military uniforms walking across barren ground.|Australian soldiers lead a column of American troops during Exercise Kangaroo '89, which was held in northern Australia.{{sfn|Horner|2001|p=65}}]]
Until the 1970s, Australia's military strategy centred on the concept of "forward defence", in which the role of the Australian military was to co-operate with allied forces to counter threats in Australia's region. In 1969, when the United States began the [[Guam Doctrine]] and the British withdrew [[east of Suez]], Australia developed a defence policy which emphasised self-reliance and the defence of continental Australia. This was known as the [[Defence of Australia Policy]]. Under this policy, the focus of Australian defence planning was to protect Australia's northern maritime approaches (the Air-Sea Gap) against enemy attack.{{sfn|Tewes|Rayner|Kavanaugh|2004}} In line with this goal, the ADF was restructured to increase its ability to strike at enemy forces from Australian bases and to counter raids on continental Australia. The ADF achieved this by increasing the capabilities of the RAN and RAAF and relocating regular Army units to northern Australia.{{sfn|Horner|2001|p=72}}

At this time, the ADF had no military units on operational deployment outside Australia. In 1987, the ADF made its first operational deployment as part of [[Operation Morris Dance]], in which several warships and a rifle [[Company (military)|company]] deployed to the waters off [[Fiji]] in response to the [[1987 Fijian coups d'état]]. While broadly successful, this deployment highlighted the need for the ADF to improve its capability to rapidly respond to unforeseen events.{{sfn|Horner|2001|pp=225–227}}

Since the late 1980s, the Government has increasingly called upon the ADF to contribute forces to peacekeeping missions around the world. While most of these deployments involved only small numbers of specialists, several led to the deployment of hundreds of personnel. Large peacekeeping deployments were made to [[Australian contribution to UNTAG|Namibia]] in early 1989, [[Australian contribution to UNTAC in Cambodia 1992–1993|Cambodia]] between 1992 and 1993, [[Operation Solace|Somalia]] in 1993, [[United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda|Rwanda]] between 1994 and 1995 and [[Bougainville Province|Bougainville]] in 1994 and from 1997 onwards.{{sfn|Horner|2001|pp=228–255}}

The [[Australian contribution to the 1991 Gulf War]] was the first time Australian personnel were deployed to an active war zone since the establishment of the ADF. Although the warships and [[Clearance Diving Team (RAN)|clearance diving team]] deployed to the [[Persian Gulf]] did not see combat, the deployment tested the ADF's capabilities and command structure. Following the war the Navy regularly deployed a [[List of recent Australian warship deployments to the Middle East|frigate to the Persian Gulf or Red Sea]] to enforce the [[Iraq sanctions|trade sanctions imposed on Iraq]].{{sfn|Horner|2001|pp=231–237}}

===East Timor deployment===
[[File:Australian C-130 H being unloaded at Tallil Air Base in April 2003.jpeg|thumb|alt=Rear view of a propeller-driven plane on the ground with its cargo door open and propellers still spinning|A RAAF C-130 Hercules being unloaded at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, during April 2003]]

In 1996, [[John Howard]] led the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party's]] election campaign and became prime minister. Subsequently, there were significant reforms to the ADF's force structure and role. The new government's defence strategy placed less emphasis on defending Australia from direct attack and greater emphasis on working in co-operation with regional states and [[Foreign relations of Australia|Australia's allies]] to manage potential security threats.{{sfn|Horner|2001|pp=95–96}} From 1997 the Government also implemented a series of changes to the ADF's force structure to increase the proportion of combat units to support units and improve the ADF's combat effectiveness.{{sfn|Horner|2001|pp=93–95}}

The ADF's experiences during the [[International Force for East Timor|deployment to East Timor in 1999]] led to significant changes in Australia's defence policies and, an enhancement of the ADF's ability to conduct operations outside Australia. This successful deployment was the first time a large ADF force had operated outside of Australia since the Vietnam War and revealed shortcomings in its ability to mount and sustain such operations.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jenny |last=Sinclair |title=Operation Chaos |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/19/1037490107525.html |work=[[The Age]] |date=19 December 2002 |access-date=6 July 2007 |archive-date=29 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429222024/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/11/19/1037490107525.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2000, the Government released a new Defence White Paper, ''Defence 2000&nbsp;– Our Future Defence Force'', that placed a greater emphasis on preparing the ADF for overseas deployments. The Government committed to improve the ADF's capabilities by improving the readiness and equipment of ADF units, expanding the ADF and increasing [[Real versus nominal value (economics)|real]] Defence expenditure by 3% per year;{{sfn|Thomson|2005|p=11}} in the event, expenditure increased by 2.3% per annum in real terms in the period to 2012–13.{{sfn|Thomson|2012|p=25}} In 2003 and 2005, the ''Defence Updates'' emphasised this focus on expeditionary operations and led to an expansion and modernisation of the ADF.{{sfn|Thomson|2006|pp=7–8}}

===Iraq and Afghanistan===
Since 2000, the ADF's expanded force structure and deployment capabilities have been put to the test on several occasions. Following the [[11 September attacks|11 September 2001 terrorist attacks]] on the United States, Australia committed a [[special forces]] task group and an [[air-to-air refuelling]] aircraft to operations in [[Afghanistan]], and naval warships to the Persian Gulf as [[Operation Slipper]].{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|pp=8–9}} In 2003, approximately 2,000 ADF personnel, including a special forces task group, three warships and 14 [[F/A-18 Hornet]] aircraft, took part in the [[Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]].{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|p=248}}

The ADF was subsequently involved in the reconstruction of Iraq. From 2003 until 2005 this was mainly limited to a [[Security Detachment Iraq (Australia)|Security Detachment]] which protected the Australian embassy, the attachment of officers to multi-national headquarters, small numbers of transport and maritime patrol aircraft, and teams of air traffic controllers and medical personnel.<ref name="Fielding Concluding Australia's Military Commitment in Iraq">{{cite web|last1=Fielding|first1=Marcus|title=Concluding Australia's Military Commitment in Iraq|url=http://www.mhhv.org.au/?p=340|publisher=Military History and Heritage Victoria|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231170415/http://www.mhhv.org.au/?p=340|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2005 until 2008 a [[battalion]]-sized Australian Army battle group (initially designated the [[Al Muthanna Task Group]], and later [[Overwatch Battle Group (West)]]) was stationed in southern Iraq. In addition, teams of ADF personnel were deployed to train Iraqi military units. In line with a 2007 election commitment, the [[Rudd government (2007–10)|Rudd government]] withdrew combat-related forces from Iraq in mid-2008, and most of the remaining Australian units left the country the next year.<ref name="Fielding Concluding Australia's Military Commitment in Iraq" /><ref name="SBS Iraq timeline">{{cite web|title=Timeline: Australian troops in Iraq|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2008/06/02/timeline-australian-troops-iraq|website=SBS News|publisher=SBS|access-date=31 December 2016|date=23 August 2013|archive-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101002610/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2008/06/02/timeline-australian-troops-iraq|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Five ASLAVs in Afghanistan during March 2011.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Colour photo of five military armoured fighting vehicles driving through dusty terrain|Australian Army [[ASLAV]] armoured vehicles in Afghanistan during 2011]]

The ADF also undertook several operations in Australia's immediate region during the 2000s. In 2003, elements of all three services were dispatched to [[Solomon Islands]] as part of the [[Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands]]. Regular deployments of Australian forces continued to the islands until 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Malley|first1=Nick|title=As RAMSI ends, Solomon Islanders look to the future|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/as-ramsi-ends-solomon-islanders-look-to-the-future-20170621-gww2g1.html|access-date=14 January 2018|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 June 2017|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114113447/http://www.smh.com.au/world/as-ramsi-ends-solomon-islanders-look-to-the-future-20170621-gww2g1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Between December 2004 and March 2005, 1,400 ADF personnel served in Indonesia as part of [[Operation Sumatra Assist]], which formed part of Australia's response to the devastating [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]].{{sfn|Bullard|2017|p=512}} In May 2006, approximately 2,000 ADF personnel deployed to East Timor in [[Operation Astute]] following unrest between elements of the [[Timor Leste Defence Force]].{{sfn|Dennis et al|2008|p=193}} This deployment concluded in March 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last1=AAP|title=East Timor Operation Astute formally ends|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/east-timor-operation-astute-formally-ends/news-story/ebd5a598fa73c0a97aecfa064036f4c2?sv=da978007173976bf54becf03bd690bb0|access-date=14 January 2018|work=The Australian|date=27 March 2013}}</ref>

From 2006 until 2013 a battalion-sized Australian Army task force operated in [[Urozgan Province]], Afghanistan; this unit was primarily tasked with providing assistance for reconstruction efforts and training Afghan forces, but was frequently involved in combat. In addition, Special Forces Task Groups were deployed from 2005 to 2006 and 2007 until 2013. Other specialist elements of the ADF, including detachments of [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|CH-47 Chinook]] helicopters and RAAF radar and air traffic control units, were also periodically deployed to the country.<ref name="APH Afghanistan chronology as of 2010">{{cite web|last1=Brangwin|first1=Nicole|last2=Rann|first2=Anne|title=Australia's military involvement in Afghanistan since 2001: a chronology|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/1011/MilitaryInvolvementAfghanistan|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=31 December 2016|date=16 July 2010|archive-date=17 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917020242/http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/1011/MilitaryInvolvementAfghanistan|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="APH Afghanistan facts and figures as of 2013">{{cite web|last1=Church|first1=Nathan|title=Australia at war in Afghanistan: updated facts and figures|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/AfghanistanFactsUpdated|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=31 December 2016|date=13 December 2013|archive-date=31 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231170408/http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1314/AfghanistanFactsUpdated|url-status=live}}</ref> A total of 40 ADF personnel were killed in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2013, and 262 wounded.<ref name="Defence Battle casualties in Afghanistan">{{cite web|title=Battle casualties in Afghanistan|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/operations/afghanistan/personnel.asp|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-date=14 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114060656/http://defence.gov.au/Operations/Afghanistan/personnel.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the withdrawal of the combat forces in 2013, ADF training teams have continued to be stationed in the country to train Afghan forces.<ref>{{cite web|title=Operation HIGHROAD|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/operations/afghanistan/|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101001248/http://www.defence.gov.au/operations/afghanistan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Australian Labor Party]] (ALP) governments led by prime ministers [[Kevin Rudd]] and [[Julia Gillard]] between 2007 and 2013 commissioned two defence white papers, which were published in 2009 and 2013. The 2009 document, ''[[Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030]]'', had a focus on responding to China's rapidly growing influence. It included commitments to expand the RAN, including acquiring twelve submarines, and increasing defence spending by three percent per year in real terms. This increase in spending did not occur, however.{{sfn|Edwards|2016|pp=20–21}} The ''Defence White Paper 2013'' had similar strategic themes, but set out a more modest program of defence spending which reflected the government's constrained finances. As part of an election commitment, the  [[Coalition (Australia)|Liberal–National Coalition]] [[Abbott government]] commissioned a further defence white paper that was published in 2016.{{sfn|Edwards|2016|p=21}} This document also included a commitment to expand the ADF's size and capabilities.{{sfn|Thomson|2016|p=vi}} There has generally been [[bipartisan]] agreement between the ALP and the Liberal–National Coalition on the ADF's role since the mid-1970s. Both political groupings currently support the ADF's focus on expeditionary operations, and the broad funding target set out in the ''2016 Defence White Paper''.{{sfn|Thomson|2017|p=7}} The ADF's broad [[force structure]] has also experienced little change since the 1980s. For instance, throughout this period the Army's main combat formations have been three [[brigade]]s and the RAAF has been equipped with around 100 combat aircraft. Most of the equipment used by the services has been replaced or upgraded, however.{{sfn|Jennings|2016|pp=114, 137}}
[[File:RAAF F-35 taking off during the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition 2017.jpg|thumb|alt=Colour photograph of a modern jet fighter aircraft taking off from a runway|The Australian Government intends to buy at least 72 [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35A Lightning II]] aircraft to re-equip the RAAF's air combat force<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Stephen L.|title=Australia gets its first public display of the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter|url=https://theconversation.com/australia-gets-its-first-public-display-of-the-new-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-73832|website=The Conversation|access-date=7 January 2018|date=8 March 2017|archive-date=7 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107232955/https://theconversation.com/australia-gets-its-first-public-display-of-the-new-f-35-joint-strike-fighter-73832|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
It is stated in the ''2016 Defence White Paper'' that Australia's changing security environment will lead to new demands being placed on the Australian Defence Force. Although it is not expected that Australia will face any threat of direct attack from another country, terrorist groups and tensions between nations in East Asia pose threats to Australian security. More broadly, the Australian Government believes that it needs to make a contribution to maintaining the rules-based order globally. There is also a risk that [[climate change]], weak economic growth and social factors could cause instability in South Pacific countries.{{sfn|Australian Government|2016|pp=16–17}}

The ADF has developed strategies to respond to Australia's changing strategic environment. The ''2016 Defence White Paper'' states that "the Government will ensure Australia maintains a regionally superior ADF
with the highest levels of military capability and scientific and technological sophistication". To this end, the government intends to improve the ADF's combat power and expand the number of military personnel. This will include introducing new technologies and capabilities. The ADF is also seeking to improve its intelligence capabilities and co-operation between the services.{{sfn|Australian Government|2016|pp=18–20}}

Beginning in August 2014, RAAF combat forces, an Army special forces task force and an Army training unit were deployed to the Middle East during [[Operation Okra]] as part of the international [[war against the Islamic State]]. The RAAF aircraft conducted air strikes in Iraq and Syria and provided airborne command and control and air-to-air refuelling for the coalition forces. The special forces advised the [[Iraqi Army]] and the training unit trained Iraqi soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Westra |first1=Renee |title=Syria: Australian military operations |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/SyriaMilitaryOps |website=Parliamentary Library |publisher=Parliament of Australia |access-date=25 April 2023 |language=en-AU |date=20 September 2017}}</ref> The RAAF combat aircraft completed operations in January 2018, and the other aircraft were withdrawn in September 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=RAAF completes last strike mission over Iraq |url=https://australianaviation.com.au/2018/01/raaf-completes-last-strike-mission-over-iraq/ |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=Australian Aviation |date=16 January 2018 |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Australian aircraft complete Middle East mission |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/australian-aircraft-complete-middle-east-mission |website=Media release |publisher=Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC |access-date=9 September 2020 |date=25 April 2023}}</ref> The Army training force departed in mid-2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Task Group Taji operation a success |url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-news/media-releases/task-group-taji-operation-success |website=Media release |publisher=Australian Army |access-date=25 April 2023 |date=5 June 2020}}</ref>

===2020–present===
[[File:President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the AUKUS meeting in San Diego, California, March 13, 2023 - 230313-D-TT977-0319.jpg|thumb|left|Australian Prime Minister [[Anthony Albanese]], US President [[Joe Biden]] and British Prime Minister [[Rishi Sunak]] during a meeting held in March 2023 to announce the details of Australia's plans to acquire nuclear attack submarines as part of the [[AUKUS]] partnership]]
The Australian Government believes that the country's strategic circumstances are worsening due to the threat posed by China. This has led to decisions to expand the ADF and enhance its ability to participate in high intensity combat. The ''2020 Defence Strategic Update'' called for the ADF's efforts to be focused on the [[Indo-Pacific]] region. It also concluded that there was no longer a ten-year period of strategic warning before Australia could be involved in a major war. The document stated that the ADF's funding would be expanded, and its capacity to strike at targets from a long distance be improved.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldrick |first1=James |title=Defence Strategic Update 2020: A first assessment {{!}} Lowy Institute |url=https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/defence-strategic-update-2020-first-assessment |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=lowyinstitute.org |date=2 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In September 2021, Australia entered into the [[AUKUS]] trilateral security partnership with the United Kingdom and United States. As part of this partnership, Australia will obtain [[SSN (hull classification symbol)|nuclear attack submarines]] to significantly improve the RAN's capabilities - this replaced a plan to acquire 12 conventionally powered [[Attack-class submarine|''Attack''-class submarines]] in partnership with France. The three AUKUS countries also agreed to collaborate on a range of military technologies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Aukus: UK, US and Australia launch pact to counter China |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-58564837 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=BBC News |date=16 September 2021}}</ref>

An investigation of allegations of Australian war crimes in Afghanistan was completed in November 2020. The [[Brereton Report]] found that there was evidence that 25 Australian special forces personnel committed war crimes on 25 occasions, resulting in the deaths of 39 people and the mistreatment of two others. General [[Angus Campbell (general)|Angus Campbell]] accepted all of the 143 recommendations made in the report.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grattan |first1=Michelle |title=Evidence of war crimes found against 25 Australian soldiers in Afghanistan |url=https://theconversation.com/evidence-of-war-crimes-found-against-25-australian-soldiers-in-afghanistan-150377 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=The Conversation |date=19 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The government announced the implementation of 139 of the recommendations in 2024, with the remaining relating to ongoing criminal investigations by the newly created Office of the Special Investigator.<ref>{{cite news|title=Defence commanders stripped of medals after Afghanistan war crimes investigation ends|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-12/afghanistan-war-crimes-inquiry-ends-commanders-medals-stripped/104341114|date=2024-09-12|work=ABC News }}</ref> The office charged a first soldier with war crimes in March 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Doherty |first1=Ben |title=Australian defence chief warns further criminal charges could be laid over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/11/defence-chief-flags-more-allegations-of-afghanistan-war-crimes-made-against-australian-soldiers |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=11 April 2023}}</ref>

During August 2021, RAAF aircraft participated in [[2021 Kabul airlift|an international airlift]] to evacuate people from Kabul in Afghanistan after it fell to the Taliban. An Army infantry company was deployed to Kabul as part of this operation. More than 3,500 people were evacuated by the RAAF.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dziedzic |first1=Stephen |title=Australia's Afghanistan evacuation mission ends in one of ADF's 'finest moments' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-09/afghan-refugees-australia-evacuation-mission-ends/100448160 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=ABC News |date=9 September 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diggers on a mission like no other |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2021-09-09/diggers-mission-no-other |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=25 April 2023 |date=9 September 2021}}</ref> Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022 Australia provided military assistance to Ukraine. {{As of|April 2023}}, this included the transfer of military equipment from the ADF worth $A475 million and the deployment of an Army training team to the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian soldiers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Invasion of Ukraine by Russia |url=https://www.dfat.gov.au/crisis-hub/invasion-ukraine-russia |publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |access-date=25 April 2023}}</ref>

The election of the ALP [[Albanese government]] in May 2022 did not significantly change Australia's defence posture, as the ALP and Coalition parties have broadly similar defence policies. This includes an agreement on China posing a threat to Australia's security. The main difference is that the ALP sees [[climate change]] as an important security issue.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Daniel |title=Peter Dutton casts Coalition as stronger than Labor on defence as election nears – so how different are they? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/19/peter-dutton-casts-coalition-as-stronger-than-labor-on-defence-as-election-nears-so-how-different-are-they |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=18 March 2022}}</ref>{{sfn|International Institute for Strategic Studies|2023|p=216}} After coming to power, the Albanese government commissioned the [[Defence Strategic Review]] that was publicly released in April 2023. The review found that the security challenges facing Australia had continued to worsen, and called for the ADF to be restructured to meet the threats. This includes transitioning the ADF from its traditional structure of a "balanced force" capable of a range of activities to a "focused force" tailored mainly to protecting Australia from military attack or [[coercion]]. As part of this change, the review recommended reducing the planned size of the Army's mechanised forces and expanding its long-range firepower. The review also identified climate change as a threat to Australia and called for a "whole of nation effort" to defending Australia that goes beyond the ADF.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blaxland |first1=John |author1-link=John Blaxland (historian) |title=The much-anticipated defence review is here. So what does it say, and what does it mean for Australia? |url=https://theconversation.com/the-much-anticipated-defence-review-is-here-so-what-does-it-say-and-what-does-it-mean-for-australia-204267 |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=The Conversation |date=24 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The government accepted most of the review's recommendations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Daniel |title=Defence strategic review: Australia will build longer range military power amid 'radically different' security environment |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/24/australia-defence-strategic-review-missile-production-corvette-warships-adf-australian-military-news |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=24 April 2023}}</ref>