The Antarctic Treaty bans military activity, but not technology with civilian and military applications.

Australia's Defence Force is looking to install its technology in Antarctica even though the Antarctic Treaty explicitly bans military activity.

Key points: Document reveals Defence's desire to roll out technology with both civil and military use in Antarctica

Australia has historically been a vocal proponent of the Antarctic Treaty and its goals of science, environmental protection and non-militarisation

China, Russia and the US have already installed "dual-use" military technology

The revelation forms part of Australia's most detailed assessment of threats and "military opportunities" in Antarctica ever released publicly.

A senior official in Defence's strategic policy branch presented to a private "future strategic leaders' congress" in June. Speaking notes for the presentation were contained in a document obtained by the ABC under freedom of information law.

'Valuable opportunities'

The overarching laws of the southern continent are contained in the 60-year-old Antarctic Treaty. They prohibit measures of "a military nature".

China, Russia and the US have satellite navigation capabilities in Antarctica that can potentially be used for military purposes in times of conflict.

This kind of technology — with dual civil and military uses — is not strictly banned by the Treaty.

The briefing by the Defence official noted "there are a range of valuable opportunities to enhance military capability by implementing certain technologies in the Antarctic".

"Australia and other likeminded states need to maintain a collective influence in the Antarctic Treaty System in order to prevent the gradual undermining of its strength," the document declares.

"This does not mean that we cannot, or should not, utilise the opportunity for implementing dual‐use capabilities where we can, but priority should always favour legitimate scientific utility."

It is not clear what technologies Australia would consider implementing, but the document highlights the potential of space object surveillance in Antarctica, including "tracing and monitoring satellites of other nations".

Australia contemplating dual-use military technology in Antarctica contrasts with its public statements and record on the southern continent.

Former prime minister Bob Hawke was instrumental in helping implement a mining ban in the late 1980s.

Australia's official Antarctic Strategy, released in 2016, notes the Antarctic Treaty puts in place the principle of non-militarisation of the continent. It describes Australia's legacy on the continent as one of "heroism, scientific endeavour and environmental stewardship".

But the official's presentation confirms Defence is assessing the military threats and opportunities of the southern continent.

"Antarctica is especially useful for command, control, communications, computers, surveillance and reconnaissance system capabilities, as well as missile timing and missile positioning.

"Perhaps most important is Antarctica's ideal environment for basing satellite receiving and processing stations."

Territorial tensions

Australia maintains a territorial claim to 42 per cent of the continent, but this is only recognised by New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Norway and France. The Antarctic Treaty has frozen all territorial claims.

The Defence document states a "strong, stable and effective" Treaty System is in Australia's interests, as it helps to "alleviate the security costs".

Defence predicts strategic competition to increase in coming years but also that a substantial military response will not be required "for at least the next few decades".

"Perhaps the most important expected driver of strategic competition is the resource potential in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and how this interest might increase in the future as resources elsewhere become scarcer," the document states.

"For now, states can only undertake preliminary exploration of resources under the pretence of scientific research. The extent to which this actually occurs is a topic of debate."

The document also recognises nations may harbour long-term territorial ambitions.

"For those who are looking to undermine the treaty framework and reap a significant strategic benefit from Antarctica, you are going to need to set up camp and wait for all the right elements to align."

Accusing China could be 'counterproductive'

The documents recognises Australia's proximity to Antarctica as a major strategic advantage.

"In contrast, for other states without clear Antarctic connections, there may be advantages in pushing the boundaries of the Antarctic Treaty System.

"This may come in the form of things like overfishing, not declaring military activities, and not declaring certain kinds of scientific research."

It also touches on diplomatic risks.

"We have been trying to bind China to norms of international engagement, and its Antarctic activities are certainly fulfilling that objective. Accusing it of nefarious actions could be highly counterproductive."

Three Australian Antarctic experts have recently been locked in debate over the motivations of China in Antarctica.

Nengye Liu, senior lecturer at the University of Adelaide, wrote an article in July in the Lowy Institute Interpreter. It followed an ABC report of opposition from Australia to a proposal from China to manage an area around Dome A, inside the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Dome A is regarded as one of the Earth's best locations for space observation.

In the article Dr Liu argued that the opposition by Australia and others means "it will be more difficult for these countries to gain China's support" in establishing proposed marine protected areas.

That contribution prompted a response by former Antarctic Division head Tony Press accusing Dr Liu of "mistakenly conflating" China's management proposal with the marine protected areas.

"China's [proposal] received no substantive support from other parties, yet on the other hand, for example, the proposal from Australia and the European Union to establish [a marine protected area] is opposed by only two parties … China and Russia," he wrote.

Subsequently, ANU Russian scholar Elizabeth Buchanan argued that both Dr Liu and Mr Press "sidestepped the crucial point".

"Do we seriously accept there is any real consensus that territorial claims to the Antarctic will remain frozen?" Dr Buchanan asked.

"Instead of faithfully depending only on the existing system, Australians need to answer a different question:

"Are we really content to gamble on the chance that Australia won't ever be positioned to have to physically defend our Antarctic interests or the AAT?

"This is the direction our domestic debate must now take."

In preparation for construction of Antarctica's first paved runway for year-round aviation access near Davis Station, Australia is using a team that includes two Army ground survey personnel.

A Defence spokesperson said Australia was a "staunch supporter" of the Antarctic Treaty System, "which is central to ensuring Antarctica remains free from strategic and political confrontation".

"The treaty permits the use of military personnel or equipment for peaceful purposes," the spokesperson said.

"Any violation of the Antarctic Treaty, including military activities by any state party, would be of concern to Australia."

The spokesperson said Defence's role in Antarctica was limited to providing logistics and access support for Australia's scientific presence.

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