Australia is to more than double the size of its naval fleet with an extra A$11.1bn ($7.2bn) of investment to adapt to China’s military build-up in the Pacific region.The navy will expand to 26 warships, including 11 new frigates and six new large vessels with long-range missile capability, as Canberra toughens its military stance in response to rising regional tension.
The investment will give Australia its largest navy since the second world war. It eases fears within the defence community that the government would not meet promises to provide extra funding to upgrade the fleet after a review last year deemed it not fit for purpose.
The plan is aimed at launching new warships more rapidly while maintaining a commitment to increasing shipbuilding capability in Australia.