Defence Industry Minister Says Bravery and Speed Needed in Military Build-Up

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy spoke about Australia’s acquisition of new military hardware to deal with potential threats from the CCP.Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Aug. 5, 2025. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas11/4/2025|Updated: 11/4/2025The challenging strategic environment in the Indo Pacific—characterised by Beijing’s increasing aggression toward its neighbours and influence among Pacific nations—means Australia is gearing up for a programme of continuous naval shipbuilding, says Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, who told the Indo Pacific Conference that Australia was focused on procurement speed.Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.Author’s Selected Articles