Australian Defense Force

Australian Defense Force Australian Defense Force
guide
Commander in Chief :	Elizabeth II , Queen of Australia, represented by Governor General of Australia David Hurley
Defense Minister:	Linda Reynolds
Military Commander:	Angus Campbell
Military strength
Active soldiers:	57 982
Conscription:	abolished (1973)
Resilient population:	4,341,591 men, ages 16-49 (2009) 4,179,659 women, ages 16-49 (2009)
Eligibility for military service:	17 years
household
Military budget:	$ 25.9 billion
Share of gross domestic product :	1.92% (2015)
history
Founding:	1901
Factual foundation:	1976 (ADF)

The name Australian Defense Force ( ADF , German  Australian Defense Force ), which, in contrast to many other countries , is kept in the singular , denotes the entirety of the Australian armed forces Australian Army , Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force as well as the Special Operations Command, which has been operational since 2008 . The ADF has undergone extensive modernization in recent years and has thus become one of the technically leading armed forces in the world. In 2009 the number of active soldiers was 55,000.

history

The ADF is specifically mentioned in Australia's 1900 Constitution . From 1901 the reserve , known as the Australian Citizens Military Force , played an important role in homeland security, while the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) , established after Great Britain declared war on the German Empire in 1914, served overseas. In 1909 the British crown had already decided to set up its own Australian fleet, the Royal Australian Navy . Australia participated in both world wars with the AIF. The Royal Australian Air Force was formed from predecessors in 1921. In 1947, a peacetime standing army was established according to modern needs, which undermined the importance of the Citizens Military Force . The actual establishment of the ADF did not take place until 1976.

Role in Australian foreign policy

With its military , which is the strongest in the ocean region , Australia participates in both peace missions and offensive operations, for example the war in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the coalition of the willing . Thus, Australia's traditionally close ties to Great Britain and the United States are also expressed in military cooperation .

After the end of the war against the Iraqi forces under Saddam Hussein in 2003, Australia withdrew most of its troops; 150 Australian soldiers remained in the country. As of July 31, 2009, this quota was also withdrawn. In contrast, up to 1,550 Australians were stationed in Afghanistan in 2011 .

Supreme command

The ADF is mentioned in Australian constitutional law in the executive branch provisions . Article 68 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act of 1900 reads as follows:

" The command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the Governor-General as the Queen's representative "

"The supreme command of the military and maritime forces rests with the Governor General of Australia as the Queen's deputy "

There is no mention of an air force , as the use of aircraft for military purposes was not foreseeable at the time.

De facto , the Australian Defense Minister, along with his subordinate ministers and state secretaries , command the ADF. Only decisions that are considered by the National Security Council of the Australian Cabinet to be of national importance are discussed there.

After a decision is made, the Minister of Defense briefs the Governor General, who makes the final decision. But this usually follows the advice. This fulfills the constitution de jure .

construction

The ADF consists of the Australian Army , Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force . In addition, a Special Operations Command based on the British and American models was set up in 2008 and is on an equal footing with the armed forces.

The ADF is superordinate to the Australian Defense Organization , which includes the ADF and all civil institutions that support it. This also includes the Defense Intelligence Organization (reconnaissance), the Defense Materiel Organization , which is responsible for equipping the ADF, and the Defense Science and Technology Organization , which supports the ADF in technological and scientific terms.

In 1989, the United States added Australia to the list of its main allies outside NATO .

See also

• Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030
• List of women in the military
• Major non-NATO ally

Web links

Commons : Australian Defense Force  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Official website of the Australian Ministry of Defense (English)
• Chronology of Australian military history (English)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/157935/umfrage/laender-mit-den-hoechsten-militaerverbindungen/
2. ^ The World Factbook
3. ^ Senator Robert Hill , Minister for Defense: New Special Operations Command . Department of Defense. May 5, 2003. Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
4. ↑ Australian Defense Force spends $ 15m on recruitment blitz , in: The Australian , January 6, 2011. Accessed February 2, 2011.
5. ↑ above: A quiet end to Australia's Iraq affair  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , in: The Australian , May 12, 2009. Accessed May 13, 2009.  
6. ↑ Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act - Sect 68 Command of naval and military forces  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. can be found on the Australian Attorney General's website. Accessed August 3, 2008.