Australia’s revised defence investment plan: what it means for naval warfare
The UK has begun port visits to Australia under the Optimal Pathway, commencing with the February 2026 arrival of HMS Anson for a submarine maintenance period. (Photo: Royal Australian Navy)
The 2026 Integrated Investment Program allocates up to A$130 billion for undersea warfare, committing the Royal Australian Navy to nuclear-powered submarines, autonomous platforms and an expanded surface combatant fleet over the next decade.
The Australian government, on 16 April, released its 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and accompanying Integrated Investment Program (IIP), outlining approximately A$425 billion (US$304.83 billion) in capability investment over the decade to 2035–36.
The package includes an additional A$14 billion over the next four years and A$53 billion over the decade – bringing total additional investment across the 2024 and 2026 strategies to A$30 billion over four years and A$117 billion across the planning decade.
Defence spending as a proportion of GDP is projected to rise to 3% by 2033 under the NATO measurement approach, up from a 2024 IIP
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Germany’s F126 delays open the door for Rheinmetall’s naval ambitions]()
Germany’s F126 delays open the door for Rheinmetall’s naval ambitions
Germany’s F126 frigate crisis has handed Rheinmetall an opening it had been working towards for years, and the company intends to make the most of it.
-
![SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system]()
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.
-
![SOF Week 2026: NSW expands commercial UxS push to maritime platforms as USASOC advances FPV drone effort]()
SOF Week 2026: NSW expands commercial UxS push to maritime platforms as USASOC advances FPV drone effort
The US Army Special Operations Command and Naval Special Warfare are accelerating efforts to integrate commercial uncrewed systems, with NSW broadening its solicitation to include USVs and UUVs alongside new requirements for ISR, kinetic operations and swarm technologies.
