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Source – This post on Australia’s New Military Recruitment Policy has been created based on the article “Short on troops, Australia opens military to non-citizen residents from Five Eyes” published in “The Hindu” on 5June 2024.
Why in News?
Recently, the Australian government announced a new policy allowing non-citizens to join its armed forces. Australia is facing challenges in meeting its military recruitment targets due to its relatively small population and extensive coastline.
About Australia’s New Military Recruitment Policy
1. Permanent residents who have lived in Australia for at least 12 months would be eligible to join the armed forces.
2. The policy particularly favors citizens from Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.
3. Operational Challenges: Despite these acquisitions, Australia has found it difficult to recruit enough pilots, mariners, and troops to effectively operate and maintain this equipment.
4. Current Military Capability:
i) Defence Personnel Count: According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the Australian Defence Forces currently have about 90,000 personnel, including reservists.
ii) Expert Warnings: Military experts have expressed concerns that the number of Australians willing to serve is insufficient to meet both current and future military needs.
UPSC Syllabus: International affairs
