The Defense Minister said the $7.25 billion plan would increase the Royal Australian Navy's surface combat fleet from 11 to 26 ships.
Australia has announced a 10-year plan to double its warship fleet and increase defense spending by an additional A$11.1 billion ($7.25 billion).
Defense Minister Richard Marles said Tuesday that the government's plan would eventually increase the Navy's surface combat fleet from 11 to 26 ships, the largest since the end of World War II.
He cited concerns about rising geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region as competition between the United States and its ally China intensifies.
Mr Marles said under the new plan Australia would acquire six Hunter-class frigates, 11 general-purpose frigates, three air combat destroyers and six state-of-the-art surface warships that do not require crews. .
At least some fleets will be equipped with Tomahawk missiles capable of long-range strikes against targets deep within enemy territory, providing a major deterrent.
“This is the largest fleet we have had since World War II,” Marles told reporters.
“What's really important to understand is that, looking at an uncertain world of great power competition, by the mid-2030s we're going to have dramatically different capabilities than we have today,” he said. added.
“That's what we're planning and what we're building.”
The minister said the remotely operated large optionally manned surface vessel (LSOV) being developed by the United States will significantly increase the Navy's long-range strike capabilities.
These vessels could be introduced by the mid-2030s.
Australia will also take steps to accelerate the procurement of 11 general-purpose frigates to replace aging ANZAC-class ships, with the first three to be built overseas and commissioned by 2030.
“This decision we are making now will result in a significant increase in defense spending…which is necessary given the complexity of the strategic situation facing our country,” Marles said.
The announcement, which comes as Australia plans to procure at least three US-designed nuclear submarines, will see Canberra increase defense spending to 2.4% of gross domestic product (GDP), a target set by NATO allies. This will exceed 2%.
Experts say that taken together, Australia is poised to develop significant naval capabilities.
But the country's major defense projects have long been plagued by cost overruns, government U-turns, policy changes and project plans that make more sense for local job creation than defense.
Michael Shoebridge, a former senior security official, told AFP news agency that the government must overcome past mistakes and “there is no time to waste” as competition in the region intensifies.
Mr Shoebridge said the procurement process needed to be cut, otherwise it would lead to “delays, construction problems, higher costs and, ultimately, ships coming into service too late and the system being overtaken.” It's going to be business as usual.” Events and technological change”.
Convincing certain voters with promises of “continuation of naval shipbuilding” is not a priority, he said.
“This will only get in the way of the real priority: reversing the collapse of our naval fleet.”