Australia launches major military expansion

SYDNEY, Thursday (AFP) Australia on Thursday announced a major programme to expand and upgrade its military forces to cope with increasing commitments at home and abroad.

Prime Minister John Howard, who despatched troops in support of the US-led invasions of both Afghanistan and Iraq, said the government would need to commit ever increasing funding to defence in the years ahead.

"We cannot send men and women into danger without giving them the best available equipment and giving them the best possible opportunities to defend themselves when danger confronts them," he said. The army will be expanded by 1,500 troops and restructured into new flexible battlegroups. The Australian Defence Force has a total of just over 51,000 personnel.

A modified army structure will aim to produce a more mobile force with greater firepower and able to stay longer in lethal situations.

Key threats were defined as countering weapons of mass destruction, supporting unstable regional states and counter-terrorism.

As part of counter-terrorism strategy, the government also announced changes to the Defence Act to increase the ability to call out troops in national emergencies.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said: "Defeating the threat of terrorism, countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and supporting regional states in difficulty remain the government's highest priorities.