Canberra: Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, along with Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, made a significant announcement on Tuesday regarding a major overhaul in the nation’s naval capabilities. They revealed the government’s commitment to substantially increasing the size of Australia’s naval warships, marking a historic transformation.
Under the new initiative, Australia’s fleet of combat-ready warships will undergo a significant expansion, growing from the current 11 vessels to 26. This ambitious endeavor is aimed at bolstering the nation’s maritime defense capabilities to meet contemporary security challenges.
The government has allocated an additional $7.2 billion over the next decade to expedite the delivery of the future fleet. Marles and Conroy emphasized that this investment will result in Australia possessing its largest naval fleet since the conclusion of World War II.
This comprehensive plan reflects the government’s determination to fortify Australia’s defense posture, ensuring readiness to address evolving threats. Reports indicate that this strategic initiative will elevate Australia’s defense expenditure to 2.4% of GDP in the early 2030s, a significant increase from the previously planned 2.1% allocated when the government assumed office.