Australia to build biggest navy since World War II

Australia to build biggest navy since World War II marineinsight.com

Australia plans to increase the navy’s surface combatant fleet to 26 from 11, the largest since the end of World War II.

The development comes due to rising geopolitical tensions as competition between the U.S, its allies, and China heats up in the Asia Pacific.

Australia will get 6 Hunter class frigates, 11 general-purpose frigates, 3 air warfare destroyers and 6 surface warships.

Some of the fleet will be armed with Tomahawk missiles capable of long-range strikes on targets deep inside enemy territory.

The new vessels could be inducted into the country’s Navy by the mid-2030s.

Australia would also accelerate the procurement of 11 general-purpose frigates to replace the ageing ANZAC-class ships.

This plan will boost Australia’s defence spending by an additional 11.1 billion Australian dollars ($7.25b)

Experts say that taken together, Australia is poised to develop significant naval capability.