Former Labor MP Michael Danby said Australia should import vast quantities of modern drones to modernize its defense capabilities [1].

The proposal highlights a shift toward asymmetric warfare, where low-cost technology is used to counter expensive traditional naval assets. As regional tensions persist, the integration of unmanned systems could fundamentally alter Australia's strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific.

Danby described the current state of drone technology as a critical asset for national security. "These drones are unbelievable," Danby said during a Sky News Australia interview [1]. He said that the affordability of these systems makes them a practical addition to the military arsenal.

"We should just be importing vast quantities of this stuff; it’s incredibly cheap," Danby said [1].

According to Danby, these systems would serve as a complementary force to existing high-end defense projects. He said that while the AUKUS submarines provide a significant strategic advantage, drones offer a different layer of protection and deterrence [1].

"The AUKUS submarines have the opportunity to deter the aggressive Chinese fleet," Danby said [1].

He said that the combination of stealthy submarines and large numbers of inexpensive drones would create a more robust defense against the Chinese fleet [1]. The former politician said that drones represent the future of warfare, suggesting that relying solely on traditional platforms may be insufficient in a modern conflict [1].

Danby's advocacy comes at a time when several nations are revising their defense procurement strategies to include more autonomous systems. The move toward importing existing modern technology, rather than relying solely on domestic development, could allow Australia to scale its capabilities more rapidly [1].

“"These drones are unbelievable."”

This advocacy reflects a growing debate within defense circles regarding the balance between 'exquisite' high-cost platforms, like AUKUS submarines, and 'attritable' low-cost systems. By emphasizing the import of cheap drones, Danby is suggesting a strategy of saturation—using volume and automation to offset the numerical superiority of a larger adversary's fleet.