Australia Defense Outlays to Jump 81% as China Tensions Rise
- Nation's defense spending to nearly double over next decade
- White Paper says U.S. to remain dominant military power
AMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: In this handout image provided by Commonwealth of Australia, ground crew assist as RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets prepare for departure to the Middle East from RAAF Base Amberley on September 21, 2014 in Amberley, Australia. The main contingent of Royal Australian Air Force personnel and aircraft has departed for the Middle East today. Approximately 600 troops will be based on standby in United Arab Emirates for action in Iraq.
Photographer: Getty ImagesAustralia will boost defense spending by more than 81 percent over the next decade, including increasing naval capacity as concern over Chinese militarization in the South China Sea intensifies.
The U.S. will remain the pre-eminent global military power over the next two decades and will stay Australia’s most strategic partner, according to the 2016 Defense White Paper released by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra on Thursday. The strategic blueprint, which will see the defense budget surge from A$32. 4 billion in 2016-17 to A$58.7 billion in 2025-26, called on China to be more transparent about its defense policies.