Australia announces $37B defense hike citing ‘eroding’ global norms

Citing the continued erosion of international norms, Australia announced that it will boost its defense spending by $37 billion over the next decade.

The announcement is part of the 2026 National Defence Strategy, which is set to be released on Thursday, Australian broadcaster ABC News reported.

Canberra’s new defense spending plans will bring it to roughly 3% of the country’s GDP by 2033.

The strategy “affirms that Australia faces its most complex and threatening strategic circumstances since the end of World War II,” according to excerpts from a speech by Defense Minister Richard Marles.

“International norms that once constrained the use of force and military coercion continue to erode.

"More countries are engaged in conflict today than at any time since the end of World War II, and this is occurring across every region of the world,” according to the speech to be delivered Thursday.

Australia spent around $37 billion on defense during the 2024-25 fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30.