Why does Britain allow Australia to have SAS special forces and copy it?

Why does Britain allow Australia to have SAS special forces and copy it? Australia’s SAS (Special Air Service) regiment was modeled after Britain’s original Special Air Service during the post-World War II era. The decision to establish such forces in Australia wasn’t so much Britain “allowing” Australia to copy it, but rather part of the broader legacy of military cooperation and influence within the British Commonwealth.

Here are a few key reasons for this:

Commonwealth Ties:

Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and historically, its military traditions were heavily influenced by Britain, especially during the 20th century. The British SAS had developed a strong reputation during World War II, and its success inspired many other countries, including Australia, to adopt similar specialized units.

Shared Military Doctrine:

Both countries were allies during both world wars and later conflicts, and they developed shared military strategies and doctrines. Establishing an Australian SAS regiment was a way to enhance Australia’s ability to perform special operations, particularly in Asia-Pacific regional contexts.

Independent Sovereignty:

Though Australia has historical ties to Britain, it has been an independent sovereign state for more than a century (since the 1901 Federation). Australia makes its own defense and military decisions, and forming an elite unit like the SAS is in line with national security goals rather than needing explicit British permission.

Strategic Needs:

Australia, like Britain, has global military interests, and the SAS-type forces are useful for both countries in conducting special operations, counter-terrorism, and reconnaissance missions. Australia’s specific geographic needs in the Asia-Pacific region necessitate such elite forces.

In summary, Britain didn’t need to allow Australia to form its SAS regiment; Australia independently established it based on a proven British model of elite military capabilities. The two units share historical and operational ties but operate under their respective national commands.