Australia's federal government has announced plans to increase military spending on drones and autonomous systems by between $2bn and $5bn, bringing total investment in uncrewed capabilities to as much as $15bn over the next decade. Defence Minister Richard Marles, who is set to formally release the plans on Thursday as part of a new national defence strategy, cited lessons from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East as evidence of the strategic value of drone technology. The announcement also prioritises local manufacturing, with the government arguing the investment will strengthen Australia's sovereign defence industry and support domestic jobs.