A leading defense analyst warned that Australia’s decision to bring US combat forces and the adaption of a military strategy designed to defeat China are fatal decisions that could end in a nuclear catastrophe.
Sam Roggeveen, a former Australian intelligence analyst and the director of the Lowy Institute’s international security program, made the stark warning in an essay published this week in the Australian Foreign Affairs journal.
According to the defense analyst, Canberra is making a critical decision that is not suited to Australia’s national security interest.
These include hosting up to six US B-52 bombers in the Northern Territory that could be assigned to strike China’s nuclear infrastructure along with Canberra’s plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS deal.
He added that the nuclear-powered submarines could be assigned to sink Chinese naval ships and submarines or strike targets in China with cruise missiles in the event of war.
Australia’s plan to acquire hypersonic weapons through the AUKUS deal could also increase the country’s risk of being highly visible in the eyes of Chinese military planners.
Moreover, American bombers flying out of the Royal Australian Air Force military air base in the Northern Territory would make it an “important target for Chinese forces.”
The expert proposed that Australia’s previous notion that it is likely to be safer within the alliance needs to be re-evaluated.
He added that contrary to what many believe, the United States has not increased its military power in Asia, hence, raising questions about its long-term commitment.
