This paper describes some of the approaches that could be taken to replace Australia's Collins class submarines and outlines their pros and cons. Executive summary The building of a replacement for Australia's Collins class submarines will be the country's most expensive defence project to date. It's also likely to be the most complex, with a...

Defending Australia costs $80,281,391.78 per day, finds this report which about the complex workings of the Defence Budget. Executive summary This year’s federal budget was dominated by budget repair. Yet amid the spending cuts and tax increases, Defence did very well. Nominal defence spending will grow by $2.3 billion next financial year (2014-15) to $29.3...

This report gives greater access to the complex workings of the Defence budget to help promote informed debate on Defence budget issues. After four years of cuts, defence spending is on the rise again. But the growth is occurring from a low base, and in absolute terms funding remains well below what was promised back...

Many commentators have expressed dismay at the recent cuts to defence spending. The fear is that the government’s long-term commitment to strengthen Australia’s defence has evaporated. To add to their concerns, there are few signs that the opposition is any more willing to do so should it win power. But how much does it really...

The May budget saw deep cuts made to Australia's defence budget over the next few years. It will be up to next year's Defence White Paper to decide what happens after that. It has been argued that the long-term cost of health and ageing will place further pressures on government finances and constrain defence spending...