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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Daniel Hurst

Defence projects suffer $6.5bn cost blowout as Marles promises more scrutiny in future

A fighter jet
The government says 28 major defence projects are running behind schedule – or cumulatively 97 years late – including offshore patrol vessels and the battlefield command system. Photograph: Darren Pateman/AAP

Defence projects have blown out by at least $6.5bn placing even greater pressure on the federal budget, the government will reveal on Monday.

The new figure – which comes before the promised nuclear-powered submarines have even been factored into the budget – has led the government to commit to “prudent” future management of defence projects.

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