Peter Dutton will commit $3 billion towards buying 28 new fighter jets for the air force, seizing on the need to boost defence spending amid controversy over the potential circumnavigation of Australia by a flotilla of Chinese warships.

With Anthony Albanese and his government facing criticism by some China hawks for not responding more strongly to the unprecedented display of Beijing’s military prowess off the Australian coast, the Coalition argued extra fighters would help defend the continent and boost long-range strike capabilities.