Australia unveils 'massive' increase in defence spending

PM Malcolm Turnbull said times were momentous and stakes are high, hence as opportunities expand, so does the cost of losing them

Australia unveiled a massive new investment in the nation's defence capabilities today to address what Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called "high stakes" and "momentous times" in Asia.

Citing increased defence spending around the region and potential flashpoints in the South China Sea and the Korean peninsula, he said the government was committed to combating the most challenging strategic environment "we have faced in peacetime".

"These are momentous times. The stakes are high. And as the opportunities expand, so does the cost of losing them," Turnbull said in launching a new Defence White Paper in Canberra.

"A stronger Australia supports a safer Australia, a safer region and a safer world."

The government said it would spend 195 billion Australian dollars ($139 billion) over the next decade, including a doubling of its submarine fleet to 24, three additional destroyers, nine new frigates and 12 offshore patrol boats.

New air defence weapons would boost the force's capabilities with 72 F-35s, known as Joint Strike Fighters, added from 2020, while the army's equipment and armoured vehicle fleet will be upgraded.

Some 2,500 new military roles will be created to expand the total defence force to 62,400 personnel.

The cash injection would take Australia's defence spending to two percent of GDP by 2020-21, three years earlier than previously outlined, Turnbull said.

The announcement comes with Australia's close ally the United States pursuing a foreign policy "pivot" towards Asia, while Beijing flexes its muscle in the region through a military build-up in the contested South China Sea.

At the same time, tensions are high on the Korean peninsula after North Korea's January nuclear test and a rocket launch this month.

Turnbull said that in the next two decades, there would be increased military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, including "half the world's submarines and half the world's combat aircraft".

"We would be concerned if the competition for influence and the growth in military capability were to lead to instability and threaten Australia's interests, whether in the South China Sea, the Korean peninsula or further afield," he added.

"We have a strong, vital, vested interest in the maintenance of peace, stability and respect for the rule of law. The decisions we take now will impact on our defence capability and outlook for decades to come."

Three international bidders -- DCNS of France, Germany's TKMS and the Japanese government -- are competing for the submarine project to replace Australia's current diesel and electric-powered Collins Class submarines.

A decision on the winner is due this year.

Australia is part of the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group in Iraq, contributing military jets and special forces. It also started carrying out air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria last year.