Editing Australian Defence Force (section)

===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>