Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Defence Minister Pat Conroy made a groundbreaking announcement on Tuesday regarding a substantial overhaul of the nation's Navy. They affirmed the government's unwavering commitment to more than double the size of Australia's naval warships.
According to Xinhua news agency, this announcement signifies a significant expansion of Australia's fleet of combat-ready warships from the current count of 11 to an impressive 26.
To support this ambitious initiative, the government has pledged an additional $7.2 billion over the next decade. Marles and Conroy emphasized that this investment will expedite the delivery of the future fleet, which they anticipate will be the largest Australia has seen since the conclusion of World War II.
Reports indicate that this comprehensive plan will elevate the country's defense expenditure in the early 2030s to 2.4 percent of GDP, a notable increase from the previously planned 2.1 percent set when the government first assumed office.
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