Australia Rejects US Pressure for Higher Defense Spending While Expert Warns of Capability Gaps
Australia will determine its own defense spending priorities despite US pressure to boost military expenditure to 3.5% of gross domestic product, as a former senior official warned the government needs additional funding to address critical capability shortfalls.
The standoff emerged after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called for Australia to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP during a recent Singapore conference. The Australian government responded firmly that such decisions remain sovereign matters for Australia to determine.
"We're a sovereign nation, and as the Prime Minister and others have said, these are matters, sovereign matters for Australia to determine," former Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo said during a television interview this week.
The exchange highlights growing tensions over alliance burden-sharing as the US seeks greater defense contributions from partners amid rising regional security concerns, particularly regarding China's military expansion in the Indo-Pacific.
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