The Defence Minister, Richard Marles, has announced an upgrade and expansion of the Australian Navy to give it an “enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet”.
Flanked by the Pat Conroy, the Minister for Defence Industry, Marles announced an additional $11 billion over the next decade. The money will be used to expand the Navy’s fleet of warships to 26 vessels, an increase of 15 craft.
Commitments to the construction of naval vessels in South Australia and Western Australia were reiterated, with ship workers being promised work for deacdes.
The government also confirmed it would scrap an extension of the ANZAC-class fleet. HMAS Anzac will soon be decommissioned.
Documents issued by the government are shown below.
Watch the Marles-Conroy press conference (36m):
Listen to the press conference (36m):