2026 National Defence
Strategy

2026 National Defence Strategy overview factsheet (PDF, 272.59 KB)

2026 National Defence Strategy budget factsheet (PDF, 435.6 KB)

The 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS) builds on the strong foundations of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review and 2024 NDS. It focuses on strengthening Australia’s capacity to protect and defend Australia and our national interests within an increasingly contested and uncertain environment.

The 2024 NDS set out for the first time the concept of national defence and adopted the strategy of denial as the cornerstone of Defence planning. The 2026 NDS builds on these foundations by:

• Increasing efforts to develop greater self-reliance over the longer term so Defence can more ably and independently deter force projection against Australia.
• Prioritising capability acquisition and sustainment plans to deliver the strategy of denial, drawing on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.
• Strengthening the resilience of Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base and building stronger, more diverse international industrial partnerships.
• Improving national civil preparedness and national resilience as part of national defence to help protect Australia against regional or global disruption.
• Increasing coordination with regional partners to collectively deter actions against to Australia’s interests and shape a region governed by rights and rules, not fear or force. 

2026 Integrated Investment
Program

2026 Integrated Investment Program overview factsheet (PDF, 446.17 KB)

The 2026 Integrated Investment Program (IIP) will support efforts to deliver the 2026 NDS with greater self-reliance, strengthen the resilience of Australia's sovereign defence industrial base and build stronger, more diverse international industrial partnerships and supply chains.

Through the 2026 IIP, the Government is investing around $425 billion over the decade to deliver accelerated capability for the integrated, focused force. This includes new and continued investment to deliver:

• A larger more lethal Navy with more surface ships and conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
• An Army optimised for littoral operations in our northern land and maritime spaces with landing craft, long-range strike capabilities and a credible, combined-arms land system.
• An Air Force that can provide air support for integrated operations by conducting surveillance, air defence, strike and air transport.
• Strengthened cyber capabilities to protect networks and systems, and provide enhanced cyber and electronic warfare effects.
• Enhanced space capabilities to provide space-based situational awareness and communication capabilities.

These investments are supported by an increased focus on technological innovation and deeper collaboration with Australian defence industry.