The Guardian (UK) reports that “Australia’s annual defence spending will increase by $26bn over the next decade amid concerns about the increasing pace of military modernisation to its north, regional tensions and the continuing threat of terrorism.”  

“The Turnbull government’s defence white paper  raises concerns about “a number of points of friction” including differences between China and the United States over the South China Sea, and calls on China to be “more transparent” about its defence policies.”  

“The document, which spells out Australia’s assessment of global threats and outlines its own defence plans, commits the government to buying 12 new submarines – at a total design and construction cost of $50bn – and fulfilling a pledge to increase defence spending to 2% of gross domestic product.”