Australia has announced that it will increase its defense spending by $21 billion (USD) over the next 10 years in order to help counter a rising China. The BBC reports that the spending increase will go towards buying submarines, drones, fighter jets, and frigates – in addition to increasing the size Australian armed forces. The goals of the higher defense spending are to secure Australia’s northern border, to secure the region around Australia, and to ensure that the global status quo is maintained in the Indo-Pacific region. This last goal was criticized by China, as it seems to be a clear sign that Australia has aligned with U.S. interests in the Pacific.
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