Rethinking Defence: Australia Must Shift Focus Beyond the US

Australia must take greater responsibility for its own defence and look to regional partnerships beyond the United States, according to a new report by Strategic Analysis Australia.

The report highlights growing concerns over America’s shifting foreign policy, describing the US as “a less reliable and more demanding” partner. Rather than fostering long-term alliances, Washington increasingly appears to act on immediate self-interest — with recent decisions like halting arms and intelligence support for Ukraine raising doubts about its global commitments.

While US officials continue to promote a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” the report suggests their support for allies in achieving that goal is limited. In response, the report calls for deeper engagement with non-US partners like Japan, South Korea, and India, and a stronger focus on self-reliant defence capabilities.

It also criticises the ballooning cost of the AUKUS submarine program, warning that it risks becoming a de facto fourth branch of the Australian Defence Force. The funding for the program dwarfs that of other services, with the Air Force’s budget reportedly halving in the next two years — despite its transformation into a fifth-generation force.

Strategic Analysis Australia argues that to support broader defence goals — and deflect criticism from future US administrations — Australia must raise its defence spending to at least 3% of GDP within three years.

“We’re planning to add costly nuclear-powered submarines without adequately funding our conventional forces,” said co-founder Michael Shoebridge. “This sends a clear message to Washington: we’re still expecting US taxpayers to underwrite our security.”