On Wednesday, Australian defence minister Richard Marles announced a $32 billion defence funding boost over the next 10 years.

The spending package includes an additional $5.7 billion over the next four years and an immediate injection of more than one billion dollars to speed up the development of long-range missiles.

Mr Marles also said that by targeting systems, fuel resilience, and robotic and autonomous systems.

The funding also included upgrading Australia’s naval fleet with greater firepower and conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

The army would be given the means for greater coastal manoeuvrability with a long-range land and maritime strike capability.

According to the defence ministry, the air force would be outfitted with better long-range surveillance and strike capabilities on land, sea, and air.

The strategy also included a strengthened and integrated space and cyber capability, including enhanced cyber and electronic warfare.

“At a time of complex challenges and increasing uncertainty, a stronger, integrated, focused and capable Defence Force is of the upmost importance,’’ Mr Marles said in a statement.

He said the Canberra government’s main focus was to project defence power into the Asia-Pacific region, rather than simply protecting Australia’s borders.

Canberra’s total defence spending is expected to reach $330 billion from 2033 to 2034. That incorporates the initial costs of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS alliance with the U.S. and Britain.

The increased spending commitment under the government’s National Defence Strategy would bring defence spending to around 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product by 2033-2034.

(dpa/NAN)