Australian military ramps up preparation for 'worst case scenario' of all-out war wit

[Boats]

Australian military ramps up preparation for 'worst case scenario' of all-out war with China over Taiwan in the next five years
By PETER VINCENT and LEVI PARSONS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA - 04-17-21
Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ive-years.html

* Australian Defence Force begins preparations over potential war over Taiwan

* Seen as a strategy to force China to cease military incursions over Taiwan Strait

* Pressure remains on Australia to align with Japan, India and the US on the issue

The Australian Defence Force is war-gaming what its combat role would be in a potential military conflict with China over Taiwan, sources have revealed.

Military officials in Canberra have been planning out 'worst case' scenarios in which Collins-class submarines and Super Hornet fighter jets would be deployed to the Taiwan Strait to assist the United States and other regional strategic allies.

Pressure is mounting on Australia and fellow 'Quad' members - Japan, India and the US - to keep Beijing's forces at bay as tensions continue to soar over the disputed territory.

China has become increasingly aggressive in the region, stamping out pro-democracy groups in Hong Kong and cracking down on Muslims minorities in Xinjiang.

It is now feared the authoritarian state will turn its military might to Taiwan as it looks to re-unify the island under President-for-life Xi Jinping.

China has repeatedly incurred on Taipei's maritime borders and air space and this week it sent a record 25 military aircraft into into the defence 'identification zone'.

1st Photo link: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/04...8641407479.jpg
The Australian Defence Force is war-gaming what its combat role would be in a potential military conflict with China over Taiwan, sources have revealed. Pictured: Australian Super Hornet aircrew get ready to take off

2nd photo link: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/04...8315118582.jpg
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen (pictured) has remained staunch in the face of Chinese aggression - with many nations now at loggerheads with the communist superpower

'There is a lot of development and scenario planning going on,' a diplomatic source told the Australian Financial Review.

'It is intended to signal you are not going to blink. It is intended to demonstrate you don't lack commitment.'

Taiwan, backed by the US and Japan, has endured a longstanding conflict with Beijing since the Chinese civil war in 1949 and now its residents are more on edge than ever after watching the erosion of freedom and independence in Hong Kong.

But the island nation remains an important ally of western democratic countries for its close proximity to China and because it produces a significant supply of semiconductor microchips at a time when there is a major global shortage.

In the event that China follows through on the rhetoric of its 'Wolf Warrior' diplomats and attempts to annex the island, it's possible the Quad could come to their aid.

A former defence official said Australian maritime assets like Air Warfare Destroyers and Collins-class submarines could be deployed in such an event to 'bottle up' the Chinese navy.

3rd Photo link: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/04...8315148449.jpg
A Chinese naval ship sails into Sydney Harbour in June 2019 during a secret reciprocal visit - there are now warnings of an impending war between the nations

4th photo link: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/04...8642685314.jpg
In the event that China follows through on the rhetoric of its 'Wolf Warrior' diplomats and attempts to annex the island, it's possible the Quad could come to their aid. Pictured: Australian troops line up in Townsville

But he admitted there would be great hesitation in doing so as it would put the vital military vessels and their crews at great risk.

He said it's more likely Canberra would send 'maritime surveillance aircraft, air-to-air refuellers, the Wedgetail airborne radar plane and Super Hornet fighter jets, operating from US bases in Guam or the Philippines'.

ADF chief Angus Campbell has said conflict over the island of Taiwan would be 'disastrous' for the people of the region and should be avoided at all cost.

But as China becomes increasingly belligerent on the world stage - carrying out a fatal border conflict with Indian last year and encroaching on Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Brunei in the South China Sea - some believe conflict may be inevitable.

Former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, who served under Malcolm Turnbull, said last week things may well get a whole lot worse as Beijing looks to poke and prod its Asia Pacific neighbours.

AUSTRALIA VS CHINA - MILITARY FORCE BY NUMBERS
Place on global Military Strength Ranking 2021:

China - 3rd globally

Australia - 19th globally

Military personnel:

China - 3.3 million people

Australia - 80,000 people

Fighter jets:

China - 1,200

Australia - 75

Tanks:

China - 3,205

Australia - 59

Rocket projectors:

China - 2,250

Australia - 0

Submarines:

China - 79

Australia - 6

Fit for service population:

China - 617 million people

Australia - 8.7 million people

Defence budget:

China - $233billion

Australia - $42billion

Labour force:

China - 775 million people

Australia - 12.5 million people

Population:

China - 1.4 billion

Australia - 25 million

Source: GlobalFirePower.com