Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for naval warfare
The UK has begun port visits to Australia under the Optimal Pathway, commencing with the February 2026 arrival of HMS Anson for a submarine maintenance period. (Photo: Royal Australian Navy)
The 2026 Integrated Investment Program allocates up to A$130 billion for undersea warfare, committing the Royal Australian Navy to nuclear-powered submarines, autonomous platforms and an expanded surface combatant fleet over the next decade.
The Australian government, on 16 April, released its 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and accompanying Integrated Investment Program (IIP), outlining approximately A$425 billion (US$304.83 billion) in capability investment over the decade to 2035–36.
The package includes an additional A$14 billion over the next four years and A$53 billion over the decade – bringing total additional investment across the 2024 and 2026 strategies to A$30 billion over four years and A$117 billion across the planning decade.
Defence spending as a proportion of GDP is projected to rise to 3% by 2033 under the NATO measurement approach, up from a 2024 IIP
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition]()
UK’s Type 31 frigate balances cost pressure with long-term export ambition
The UK shipbuilder’s full-year results to the end of March revealed the impact of the £140 million charge linked to design changes and rework on the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate programme.
-
![US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies]()
US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies
The US Navy is increasing the use of OTA obligations to accelerate the procurement of seabed-subsea, littoral, expeditionary and uncrewed solutions.
-
![Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?]()
Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?
NATO has spent more than a decade building one of the world’s most sophisticated maritime uncrewed experimentation ecosystems, but still lacks a way to translate this testing into alliance-wide operational capability. Portugal now believes it has the answer.
