Will Australia’s military spending surge boost its maritime security ties with Asean?

Analysts expect Canberra’s growing security and defence ties with neighbouring nations to be the focus of the summit with Southeast Asian leaders

The summit comes amid current tense geopolitical ties in the region and Australia’s ambition for a more significant role in regional security

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Royal Australian Navy sailors conduct search and rescue operations in the vicinity of Lindeman Island, Queensland. Australia will boost its defence spending by US$7.25 billion over the next decade, aiming to double its fleet of combat-ready ships. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00am, 1 Mar 2024

Following Australia’s recent announcement of a military spending surge, experts say a coming summit with Southeast Asian leaders offers Canberra a significant opportunity to enhance maritime security ties within the tense regional landscape.

Australia is expected to restore its standing as a key economic partner in the region at the Asean-Australia Special Summit – taking place in Melbourne from March 3-6 to mark 50 years of relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Canberra – but analysts believe most focus will be on Canberra’s growing security and defence ties with neighbouring nations.

Australia on February 20 announced that it would boost its defence spending by US$7.25 billion over the next decade to procure six “optionally crewed” warships and 11 new frigates, aiming to double its fleet of combat-ready ships.

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles stands aboard the Australian Navy ship HMAS Canberra in Sydney. Photo: AFP

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the government’s plan would eventually increase the navy’s surface combatant fleet to 26 from 11, the largest it has been since the end of World War II.

Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow in the Southeast Asia programme at the Lowy Institute in Australia, said both Australia and Asean’s strategic interests converge in a stable and secure maritime domain.

“This is one area in which we hope to see more Asean-Australia cooperation,” Rahman said, adding that announcements on joint initiatives on climate change and business interests will be expected during the summit.

Rahman noted that Canberra’s increased defence spending and naval power expansion were generally accepted by Asean, which sees Australia as a “benign security partner with no ill-intention” and which is likely to contribute to security and stability in the region.

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