The Wire

The Albanese government is set for a major overhaul of Australia’s naval fleet.  It was announced on Tuesday that the Australian Royal Navy would double the existing number of warships. This also could include six new large, optionally crewed surface vessels that can also be operated remotely during wartime operations.

However, with the naval upgrade reportedly costing $65 billion, many in the community are concerned whether this is necessary in a cost of living crisis or whether defence could be an electoral issue given we could not raise a force to aid our allies in the defence of vital Red Sea shipping against Iranian-armed Houthi rebels in Yemen.