Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump is set to make a “generational investment of $1.5 trillion on defence this year” as part of what he described as an “historic national manufacturing mobilisation of its defence industrial base”.

The Pentagon chief, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore said stronger, more self-reliant allies are key to deterrence.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China's growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of…