A new arms race is exploding in Asia

SOURCE: NEWS.COM.AU

A new arms race is exploding into Asia, with an expensive and extensive shopping list of new weapons. Who’s buying what — and where does Australia stand? 

Take a tour of HMAS Canberra
The Navy’s new amphibious assault ship is designed to land a fully equipped force of more than 2000 troops using helicopters and water craft. Courtesy: Royal Australian Navy

AIRCRAFT carriers. Submarines. Fighter jets. An international arms race is underway among the rapidly developing nations to our north. In this Asian deep-pocket contest, is Australia even a contender?

In the aftermath of the Cold War, the region has become a confused place where foes have become friends and supposed friends bicker over minor — and major — territorial differences.

Arrival … Australia’s amphibious assault Ship HMAS Adelaide passes the almost complete HMAS Canberra in Melbourne last week.. Source: News Limited

The problem is, the scatterings of conflicted islets which were once “no-go” zones, both diplomatically and developmentally, are now being seen as potentially valuable assets.

And everyone wants their piece.

RELATED: Asia’s territorial flashpoints drumming up war

While most nations are still tight-lipped in order to avoid offending their neighbours, the undercurrent of tension is obviously there.

Now, with yesterday’s release of an Australian Strategic Policy Institute report, even Australia has been forced to confront China’s startling economic growth and increasingly assertive territorial demands.

MORE: Why China is our biggest threat

The growth of the region’s military budgets reflects similar concerns.

The race to procure new military equipment is picking up pace.

On the shopping lists are big-ticket items such as new submarines, advanced fighter aircraft and power-projecting aircraft-carrying warships.

Lurking behind it all is the steadily growing military and economic might of China. It has made no secret of its desire to be a major world power by 2025

But many of its neighbours are using their own growing economic strengths to send a clear, if unstated, message to the waking dragon: “Back off — we mean business”.

Tensions in the region are already rising. Beijing made headlines in November after declaring an “air defence zone” in the East China. It triggered a Cold War-style standoff with Japan, South Korea and the United States.

It is reportedly considering a similar “air defence zone” in the waters between the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Both zones encompass waters rich in oil, natural gas and fish stocks.

The area’s potential for conflict is not lost on the United States.

But is Australia’s old ally in a position to do anything about it? [...]

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