A senior defense consultant has criticized the Australian federal government for conducting multiple defense reviews, stating that it is impeding the progress of defense projects. Brent Clark, the CEO of the Australian Industry and Defense Network (AIDN), expressed his concerns during a speech at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies NSW. Clark argued that valuable time that could be spent on enhancing security capabilities is instead being wasted on bureaucratic processes. He highlighted that two years’ worth of progress on various Defense projects was halted due to the need to wait for the final recommendations of the Defense Strategic Review (DSR). Clark also criticized the lack of clear direction for important defense systems in the DSR. He drew attention to China’s significant military build-up, contrasting it with the bureaucratic barriers faced by Australia. Clark’s comments echo the remarks made by U.S. Admiral John Aquilino, who stated that China’s army is undergoing the largest build-up in its history since World War II. Grant Newsham, a veteran intelligence officer, agreed with this assessment and highlighted China’s ship-building capacity. In contrast, Australia has reduced production of certain military equipment. Clark emphasized the dangers of Australia’s reliance on China for crucial parts and expressed concern about the limited number of missiles Australia is procuring. He argued that Australia should strive for self-reliance and develop a sovereign defense capability to ensure its security during times of conflict.