Australia to Recruit Foreigners to Address Military Shortfall

New policy aims to bolster defense against foreign coercion and enhance troop numbers by targeting permanent residents from Five Eyes nations.

Australia faces a 4,400-person shortfall in its defense force, with a target strength of 63,600 personnel.
The government plans to increase military personnel to 80,000 by 2040.
Non-citizens from the US, UK, Canada, and New Zealand holding Australian permanent residency will be eligible to join.
The policy is part of a strategy to secure open trade routes and resist foreign military pressure.
Recent tensions with China have highlighted the need for a stronger and more resilient defense force.