Missiles that can precisely target enemy forces 500 kilometres away are the future of the Australian defence forces, according to the recent defence strategic review.

What we are defending ourselves with today is woefully inadequate for our strategic circumstances, the review found.

But other big questions are emerging: how will we pay for the changes it’s proposing? Can we save money on purchases we’ve already agreed to? And how will our neighbours react to a more capable Australian military?

Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on how military spending lost its way and the challenging path towards making our forces fit for purpose.

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Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.

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