
Defending Democracy with Malcolm Turnbull Episode 3: Do we need a Plan B to AUKUS?
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Apr 2, 2025 Joining Malcolm Turnbull are Rear Admiral Peter D Briggs, a seasoned submarine operator with 40 years in the Royal Australian Navy, along with Jennifer Parker, a Principal Warfare Officer and HMAS Darwin's second-in-command for two decades, and Dennis Richardson, former Secretary of Defence and Australia’s Ambassador to the U.S. They tackle the viability of AUKUS, questioning its current strategy. The need for a practical submarine design and Australia’s military sovereignty takes center stage, emphasizing the importance of strategic autonomy in a rapidly changing global landscape.
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Sovereignty Trade-offs
- Sovereignty in defense acquisition involves trade-offs for middle powers.
- Complete control over technology is unrealistic without domestic development of all capabilities.
AUKUS Progress
- AUKUS was not a coffee shop plan; the French submarine project was deemed problematic.
- Despite perceived failures, AUKUS has made substantial progress in a short time, including agreements, treaties, and workforce development.
Policy Contradictions
- Policy contradictions are inevitable; consistency is a myth.
- Focus on practical outcomes rather than striving for unattainable consistency.
