The early cost estimate for the total project was A$25 billion, Marles said. Australia’s defence spending is currently 2.8% of gross domestic product.
Australia will spend A$12 billion on a defence hub to build naval ships and dock nuclear submarines, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will announce Sunday, as Canberra seeks to bolster US backing for the Aukus pact.
The funding commitment is for the development of the Henderson defence precinct, south of Perth in Western Australia, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told ABC Insiders program on Sunday. Funding will also go towards building surface vessels for the Australian Defence Force and maintenance facilities.
