CANBERRA, Australia, May 9 (UPI) -- The Australian government has agreed to a Defense Department request for a three percent real spending increase after 2010 that will fund new equipment.
Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said planned acquisition of Joint Strike Fighters and three air warfare destroyers would be made possible by the commitment.
Australia's current defense spending provides for a 3 percent annual increase through 2010 and the new commitment carries it forward to 2016.
"A 15-year commitment to an average three percent real growth in defense spending is unprecedented in our history," Nelson was quoted by The Australian newspaper Tuesday. He said the decision would mean an additional Australian $10.7 billion (about U.S. $8.2 billion) in defense spending over the period 2011-2016.
This year's defense budge is Australian $19.6 billion, and includes funding for four new heavy lift aircraft and for additional military personnel. Also included is funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Australia is a key member of the U.S.-led coalition.
