Cuts to new navy supply ships and replacement fighter jets have triggered concerns among analysts, as Defence Minister Richard Marles fended off criticism the government was not increasing military spending quickly to counter a rising China.

Mr Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy launched a media blitz on Thursday to spruik the government’s pledge to boost the defence budget by $50 billion over the next decade, taking military spending to 2.4 per cent of gross domestic product by 2034, and its revamped 10-year, $330 billion blueprint for new weapons and equipment.