Australia prepares for war amid defence capability concerns | 7NEWS

One of the country's top commanders has told a military parade Australia's army is being prepared for war.

It comes as experts warn we can no longer depend on the United States with local manufacturers now answering the call.

Less than eight metres long, completely wind, wave and solar powered, silently able to hunt submarines for six months at a time, dragging sonar cables deep into the water.The Ocheus Blue Bottle stays low profile in high seas, helping keep Australia safe.

We don't need any crew and we don't need any fuel and it doesn't need any food and it doesn't get tired.

It's world best technology and navies are lining up to buy them.Australia securing 55 to patrol our waters.The company's proudest feature?

We're 100 % Australian company, 100 % Australian design.

Australia is currently in an arms race amid a global threat environment unparalleled in decades.Even last Friday, this at a military parade in Townsville.

Make no mistake.I am preparing our expeditionary division for war.

But some experts are concerned.Are we ready for that?That's kind of debatable, I would say.

Former RAF fighter pilot turned defence consultant Peter Robinson says Australia has modern, expensive, complex kit, but not much of it.

How long could we independently sustain those sort of operations?I think that's questionable.

He says Australia has the 15th largest military budget in the world, but we're 71st in personnel, 57th on naval vessels, 31st on aircraft and 82nd on artillery pieces.

The Army's 60 field guns wouldn't last more than a day and a half in the Ukraine -Russian conflict.

Fears too of sovereign risk, that not enough defence assets are Australian made.At least 50 % is foreign, almost every aircraft American.The reality is our defence strategy places so much dependence on the United States.but after their questionable support of Ukraine and even the NATO alliance, there are now uncertainties about just how reliable our key partner has become.The Federal Government insists we can have both.

We can have self -reliance within the alliance.

This month launching a new strategy to back Australia Made.Australians absolutely can step up.But even that comes with a warning on local costs, like the new Hunter -class future frigate, $1 .4 billion in England, four times as much built here.Is this actually the best use of taxpayer money for the warfighter?The battle for the best, on a budget.Chris Reason, Seven News.