Defence to grow to largest size since Vietnam War, increasing by nearly 20,000 people by 2040
ABCAustralia's military will move towards a wartime footing under government plans to boost the number of uniformed personnel to almost 80,000 by 2040, amid strategic risks posed by China and Russia. Key points: The Coalition is proposing to grow the ADF by 18,500 uniformed personnel by 2040 Under the $38 billion plan, the military would reach its largest size since the Vietnam War Defence insiders doubt the largest recruitment effort in 40 years can be met The proposed $38 billion expansion would see the full-time Australian Defence Force grow to a size not seen since the Vietnam War, requiring its biggest recruitment effort in 40 years. According to the government, the additional 18,500 uniformed personnel is 6,000 more than the "critical minimum" recommended by Defence to provide "redundancy and resilience", that is to cover casualties from armed conflict. Inside military ranks, there are doubts the ADF will be able to attract the massive numbers of new personnel needed, given even current recruitment and retention targets are struggling to be met.
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