Australia To Massively Increase Defence Spending

Amid concern over military expansion by countries such as China the Australian government has announced that it is to spend an additional £15 billion on defence over the next decade.

The biggest spend will be on a fleet of 12 new submarines to replace the country's ageing fleet of six Collins class boats.

The defence white paper notes China's navy and air force are now the largest in Asia - and along with its new aircraft carrier, the communist country will have 70 submarines at sea by 2020.

“As China grows, it will continue to seek greater influence within the region. As a major power, it will be important for regional stability that China provides reassurance to its neighbours by being more transparent about its defence policies.”

Read: Why China Is Willing To Risk A Conflict With The USA 

By 2035 half of the world's warplanes and submarines will be operating in the Indo-Pacific. 

“We can expect greater uncertainty in Australia’s strategic environment over the next two decades as a consequence of: the changes in the distribution of power in the Indo-Pacific and globally; the continuing threat of terrorism from groups like Daesh and from foreign terrorist fighters; the modernisation of regional military capabilities; the introduction of new military technologies such as cyber systems; and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile technology.”

Along with the submarines, which will be designed to have a high interoperability with US forces, nine new frigates, three Hobart class destroyers, twelve offshore patrol vessels are to be built - complemented by the purchase of seven additional P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. 

All aimed at giving the Royal Australian Navy the biggest regeneration since World War Two.

More: Ten Things You Need To Know About Australia's Military 

The Royal Australian Air Force will also be boosted with the purchase of unmanned drones along with confirmation of earlier plans to buy seventy-two F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and twelve E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.

An additional 2,500 troops will also be added to the Australian Defence Force taking the headcount to 62,400. 

By 2021 Australia's defence spending will equate to approximately 2% of its GDP - an equivalent percentage spend to that of the UK.

Watch: China In Show Of Military Might