The Defence Force is failing to meet targets for availability of warships and aircraft, an analysis of budget papers reveals, amid pressure on the Albanese government to ramp up military spending and rising scepticism over the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS.

Despite the Trump administration urging Australia to lift defence spending to 3 per cent of gross domestic product, equivalent to finding an extra $25 billion to $30 billion annually, the government will use next week’s budget to highlight it is increasing the military budget, albeit at a much lower rate.