Australia to spend $270b building larger military to prepare for ‘poorer, more dangerous’ world – ABC News
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Jul 1, 2020 06:30
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On Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will unveil a greater focus on the Indo-Pacific region, warning Australia needs to prepare for a post-COVID world that is "poorer, more dangerous and more disorderly".
Mr Morrison will also announce a commitment to spend $270 billion over the next decade on defence capabilities, including more potent strike weapons, cyber capabilities and a high-tech underwater surveillance system as the Morrison government looks to keep up with the regional arms race being fuelled by China's militarisation.
Mr Morrison argued increasing Australia's defence capability was vital to shoring up the nation's position in the region.
"The strategic competition between China and the United States means that there's a lot of tension in the cord and a lot of risk of miscalculation," Mr Morrison told Channel Seven.
"And so we have to be prepared and ready to frame the world in which we live as best as we can, and be prepared to respond and play our role to protect Australia, defend Australia."
