Australia (Commonwealth)_During his two-day visit to Berlin on his way to the NATO summit in Lithuania, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his support for increased military cooperation between Australia and Germany. He announced that Australia would be sending a Wedgetail military surveillance plane and 100 personnel to protect NATO arms deliveries to Ukraine via Poland. The plane, with its advanced capabilities, will help coordinate air, sea, and land operations. While Albanese and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined to comment on the controversial decision by the Biden administration to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, their joint appearance indicates a willingness to support the US-NATO alliance and its efforts against Russia.
Albanese’s visit coincided with Germany’s announcement of deploying 240 paratroopers and marines, along with airlift and naval amphibious forces, to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre, the country’s largest military war games involving forces from the US and ten other countries. This is part of a growing trend of European powers, including Germany, participating in preparations for a potential US-led conflict with China. The involvement of Australia, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand as “Indo-Pacific Four partners” at the NATO summit highlights this trend.
Albanese’s visit to Berlin also emphasized the development of a war economy, closely tied to the economies of the US and its allies. The Australian Prime Minister celebrated a major military export contract with Germany, involving the sale of “Boxer” armed vehicles. He touted the deal as a boost to Australia’s defense capabilities, economy, and sovereignty, with the potential to create jobs. However, this contract signifies Australia’s increasing role as a weapons manufacturer and exporter, ranking 11th globally in arms exports as of 2020.
While the deal may provide some employment opportunities, it is important to recognize that jobs in the military industry are often reliant on extracting super-profits from the exploitation of low-paid workers under challenging conditions. The Rheinmetall plant in Redland, near Ipswich, was deliberately established in an area with high unemployment rates, where many jobs have been lost in recent years. The enthusiasm for war industries from both the Labor government and trade union officials raises concerns about the prioritization of military production over the welfare of workers.
Rheinmetall AG, the German company involved in the military export contract, has a significant history in arms manufacturing and automotive production. While the company’s past involvement in making weapons for the German military during the world wars and its use of concentration camp labor under the Nazi regime are troubling, it has more recent connections with the US military. Rheinmetall’s collaboration with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to produce fuselage sections for the F-35A Lightning II warplanes is an example of the company’s ongoing defense technology cooperation.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Berlin highlighted Australia’s growing military cooperation with Germany and its participation in NATO activities. The emphasis on military exports and the establishment of war industries raises concerns about the prioritization of militarism and the potential risks associated with escalating conflicts. It is essential to approach these developments with a balanced perspective that considers the potential consequences and the well-being of workers involved in the military industry.
