Defence Minister Peter Dutton says Australians must “prepare for war” as escalating threats emerge from China and Russia.

Director of defence, strategy and national security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Michael Shoebridge, says Mr Dutton is “making a pretty serious point”.

“The problem for Australia is that the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, and the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, have created a strategic partnership between their autocratic governments and they’re a common strategic challenge to the security of our region,” he said.

Mr Shoebridge says two things are needed to deter autocrats like Xi and Putin.

“You need real military power and you need a demonstrated political will to use it if you need to, and frankly NATO has lacked that in Ukraine,” he told Ross and Russel.

He says there are several military capabilities Australia should focus on as the threat of China and Russia looms.

“There’s a whole lot of defence technology that could be put in the hands of our military faster. We could actually put some weaponry on those offshore patrol vessels,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“Missiles that have enough range to reach adversary ships and aircraft, and preferably longer range than your enemies, are really valuable in deterring conflict.

“We could build some of these missiles in Australia.

“And armed drones, we don’t have a single one and defence just cancelled the one we were getting.”

Press PLAY below to hear what Mr Shoebridge thinks should be Australia’s defence priorities