澳大利亚本周发布了两份关键规划文件的更新——《2026年国家防务战略》（NDS）和《2026年集成投资项目》，同时承诺增加国防开支。国防部长理查德·马尔斯承诺，国防账户将在未来四年额外获得140亿澳元，在未来十年额外获得530亿澳元。政府承诺未来十年的累计国防支出将达到8870亿澳元，并设定了到2033-34年国防开支达到国内生产总值（GDP）3%的目标。
这是该战略自2024年发布以来的首次修订。文件承认，澳大利亚已进入“一个更加危险和不可预测的时代，其特征是国家间更加公开的斗争，使用武力的门槛正在受到侵蚀”。报告警告称：“净效应是，澳大利亚在未来十年将面临升高的地缘政治风险，我们面临的武力投送和军事胁迫将达到二战以来从未见过的水平。”
尽管部分国家对美国的可靠性表示怀疑，但堪培拉重申，“澳美安全安排、互操作性、情报共享和工业协作对澳大利亚的国家安全至关重要”。NDS确立了五项优先任务，包括发展更强的自力更生能力、优先考虑能力获取和维持计划，以及增强主权防务工业基地的韧性。
The Australian frigate HMAS Anzac docks at the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force base at Kure, Hiroshima prefecture, for a port of call on June 10, 2023. (STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Australia issued updates for two pivotal planning documents this week – its National Defence Strategy 2026 and Integrated Investment Program 2026 – while simultaneously promising a boost in defense spending.Defence Minister Richard Marles pledged defense accounts would receive an additional A$14 billion (US$10 billion) over the next four years, and an extra A$53 billion over the coming decade.The government is promising cumulative defense expenditure of A$887 billion over the coming decade. It also laid out an aim for defense spending to reach 3% of gross domestic product by 2033-34.This is the National Defence Strategy’s first revision since it launched in 2024.The document acknowledges that Australia has entered “a more dangerous and unpredictable era, characterized by a more overt struggle among states where thresholds against the use of force are being eroded.”It warned, “The net effect is that Australia will face elevated levels of geopolitical risk over the coming decade, and our exposure to force projection and military coercion will reach levels not seen since the Second World War.”As some countries doubt U.S. dependability, Canberra reaffirmed that “Australia-United States security arrangements, interoperability, intelligence sharing and industrial collaboration remain critical to Australia’s national security.”The NDS set out five priorities, including developing greater self-reliance and prioritizing capability acquisition and sustainment plans. It also mentioned greater resilience for Australia’s sovereign defense industrial base, better coordination with regional partners, and improved national civil preparedness.The latter point is significant, as the latest iteration of the NDS addresses a point of criticism of the previous document for being purely a military strategy. The 2026 version broadens national defense to include domains like civil preparedness, fuel security and economic security.Meanwhile, the Integrated Investment Program – or IIP – allocates A$425 billion over the coming decade to accelerate capability improvements.Among specific priorities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are undersea warfare, more lethal maritime capabilities and expanded long-range strike capabilities. The ADF will also increasingly adopt autonomous and uncrewed systems, as well as systems to counter those of adversaries.Other specific acquisition priorities are a more resilient multi-orbit satellite communications network, as well as integrated air and missile defense. The document recognizes that Australia has serious air defense deficiencies. The IIP therefore mentions that a medium-range air defense “program will commence as a priority from 2026.”Proportionately, little has changed from two years ago in terms of spending