Australia intends to prepare its largest navy
| Australia published a plan on Tuesday, according to which the country's naval fleet will double in the next 10 years. |
Australia on Tuesday outlined a ten-year plan to double its fleet of major warships and increase defense spending by $7 billion as the arms race accelerates in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to this plan, Australia will have a navy consisting of 26 surface combat ships, which is currently 11 ships, AFP reported. Defense Minister Richard Marles said: This is the largest fleet we will have since the end of World War II.
He added: The Australian Navy must be able to guarantee the safety and security of our shipping routes, because these routes are essential to our way of life and well-being.
Australia will build six Predator-class frigates, 11 multipurpose frigates and six modern unmanned warships. A number of ships will be equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles with the ability to carry out long-range attacks deep in the enemy’s territory, which is an important tool for deterrence.
This announcement comes after a massive increase in the military power of China and Russia and in the midst of a growing confrontation between Washington’s allies and them. Australia has formed the OCOS military alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom, which specifically seeks to counter China’s influence in the South Pacific.
| © | Young Journalist Club |
