Australia plans $190 billion defense boost over decade

CANBERRA, Australia: Australia’s prime minister on Wednesday announced 270 billion Australian dollars ($190 billion) in additional defense spending over the next decade, which will include long-range missiles and other capabilities to hold enemies further from its shores.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned that the post-pandemic world will become more dangerous and announced a renewed focus on Australia’s immediate region, although its military would be open to joining US-led coalitions as it did in Afghanistan and Iraq in campaigns that were in the Australian national interest.