The Government will pump more than $1.5 billion into military drone systems, critical ship maintenance, and naval upgrades to strengthen the country's maritime security.
Announced by Defence and Veterans Minister Chris Penk on Saturday, the Budget next week would allocate an additional $880 million in operating funding, and $700m in new capital funding, for Defence.
The injection targeted priority projects under the Defence Capability Plan (DCP), focusing heavily on domestic and international sea security.
“The Maritime Fleet Renewal programme will receive funding for the ongoing work of delivering a modern and combat capable navy, as well as for two types of drones,” Penk said.
One drone system would be deployed to the South-West Pacific for long-duration intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The second, polar-capable drone would conduct missions from vessels in the Southern Ocean.
