Top European general warns Albanese government over defence spending in face of China threat
Dutch General Onno Eichelsheim, visiting Australia for the annual Talisman Sabre war games hosted by the Australian Defence Force, said Australia needs to 'seriously' prepare for war.
The Netherlands was among the swathe of NATO nations that recently lifted their military spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP.
The Dutch defence chief said the Netherlands had responded to Russia's increased aggression in Europe and that countries in the Indo-Pacific must be wary of China as well.
'You should look at the facts that are around you … if Russia tells us that they want to have more influence, than take that seriously,' he said.
'And if you see in this case in this region - China building up - take it seriously and get ready for something that you hope will never happen.
'But if you prepare for war, you can avoid war and that's how we look at it.'
General Eichelsheim said it was 'not about the percentage' but about the 'capabilities', a notion the Albanese government has openly expressed.
However, the Dutch general insisted Australia needed to lift its capabilities and spending to ensure it could defend itself from a threat.
Australia's defence budget has been forecast to reach only 2.33 per cent of GDP by 2033, which has frustrated the Trump administration.
The Trump administration has been publicly frustrated by the Albanese government's resistance to increasing defence spending to 3.5 per cent requested by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
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