Australia launches "Space Command", and the Australian Defense Minister talks about resisting "coercion" by China and Russia
[Global Times reporter Guo Yuandan Liu Xuanzun Global Times Australia Special Correspondent Da Qiao] Australia's newly formed Space Command was officially launched on the 22nd, a move that is considered to be trying to counter threats from China, Russia and other space powers.
Australian Defense Minister Dutton said on the same day that this will expand Australia's space capabilities and work with allies to ensure the security and stability of space.
According to the website of the Australian Ministry of Defence, the Australian Space Command was established in January this year and is led by the deputy commander of the Air Force, Major General Roberts.
The British "Guardian" said that the current Space Command consists of a team of 105 people.
The Australian Ministry of Defence plans to invest A$7 billion in space capability development over the next 10 years.
Dutton declared on the 22nd that Australia needs to develop hard power in the space field to defend and resist "coercive and belligerent behavior" by China, Russia and other countries.
Space is "getting more and more crowded" as countries like China and Russia develop hypersonic missiles.
Roberts also named China many times in his speech, saying that China and Russia's space activities, which have long been proved by sufficient evidence, make her afraid.
She is also concerned about Australia's lack of capacity to counter these "threats".
Roberts even claimed that Chinese-controlled satellites "could easily abolish Australia's national broadband system".
In September last year, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom established the Tripartite Security Partnership (AUKUS), which is widely seen as targeting China and Russia.
The establishment of Australia's Space Command has opened up a new area for close cooperation between the United States and Australia.
Dutton said on the 22nd that Australia and the United States have agreed to cooperate in a wide range of satellite activities.
Roberts also said that the cooperation between Australia and the United States is very close, and Australia can rely on the United States to a large extent.
In an interview with the "Guardian" reporter, Steele, an expert on space law and policy at the Australian National University, believes that Australia needs to have a space strategy, but it must be "very clear about its policies and positions" and "can't let space become a battlefield".
Steele does not believe that Australia has the technical capability to build an independent space force and does not need to imitate the United States to achieve "boots on the moon".
Steele criticized that discussing the Australian Space Force was wrong and an "escalation statement".
A military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times reporter on the 23rd that Australia has no orbital capability, neither launch vehicles nor space vehicles, so it will work closely with the United States.
"For example, taking advantage of Australia's regional advantages, the U.S. Space Force may deploy surveillance systems to monitor orbital targets in other countries, collect intelligence, and become an integral part of the U.S. Space Force's global space monitoring system." In addition, the two sides may conduct intelligence cooperation and intelligence Sharing, especially space intelligence obtained by the US Space Force, may be shared with Australia and the UK within the framework of the AUKUS military alliance.
The expert said that the space military cooperation between Australia and the United States may provoke a space arms race, which will have a very negative impact on the peaceful use of space resources by countries.
It is worth noting that Dutton has frequently made negative comments about China in recent times. For example, when he said whether Australia would arm Taiwan, Australia would do everything it could to deter China's "aggression" in the region.
Earlier, the Australian side also hyped the so-called "laser irradiation" incident of Chinese warships.
This shows that Australia is following the American tank faster and more closely.
Yu Lei, chief researcher of the Pacific Island Research Center of Liaocheng University, told the Global Times reporter on the 23rd that after the rise of China, Australia thought what the United States thought and followed the United States to contain China. And the hegemony and interests of the backyard, the fantasy becomes the "deputy sheriff" of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, and at the same time enhances Australia's international status and becomes a real middle power.
But Australia's population, economy and military might simply not be able to support its dream of over-expansion, and there is a huge risk that Australia will be dragged into America's race for global hegemony.