Amid China concerns, Australian defence projects billions over budget, decades late, minister says

At least 28 defence projects are collectively 97 years late, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

Defence Minister also warned the nation faces its ‘most challenging circumstances’ since World War II

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Dozens of major Australian military equipment acquisitions are running billions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule, Defense Minister Richard Marles said, while warning the nation faces its “most challenging circumstances” since World War II. Photo: Reuters/File

Published: 11:23am, 10 Oct 2022Updated: 2:17pm, 10 Oct 2022

Major Australian defence projects with approved budgets totalling more than A$70 billion (US$45 billion) are overbudget and cumulatively decades late, the government said on Monday, amid China’s plans to increase its influence in the Pacific.

At least 28 defence projects are collectively 97 years late, including the A$44 billion (US$28 billion) anti-submarine frigates programme and purchases of 12 offshore patrol vessel and a digital battlefield command system, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

“All of this has occurred at a time when our strategic circumstances are very complex and extremely challenging,” Marles said during a media briefing.

The Defence Minister also warned that the nation faces its “most challenging circumstances” since World War II.

Marles pledged more transparency over defence acquisitions, including monthly reports on delayed projects and creating an independent regulator inside the Defence Department.

“This is a real challenge now for the incoming government to get this back on track,” Marles said, as he blamed the previous conservative government for leaving him “a complete mess”.

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