Think Tank Warns China's Direct Military Strike Capability Against Australia Is Growing

—A new defence think tank report concludes that China's ability to strike Australia directly with long-range weapons is increasing, marking a shift from earlier assessments focused on regional threats closer to the Chinese mainland. The report urges Canberra to update strategic planning to account for a threat environment that has materially changed over the past five years. Australia has significantly increased defence spending under the AUKUS partnership, but analysts say procurement timelines leave near-term capability gaps. The findings are expected to intensify debate about Australia's defence posture and alliance commitments.