Defence plan to deliver on jobs says PM

A new defence blueprint will deliver jobs and investment in advanced, high-tech manufacturing and more economic activity in regional Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has told parliament.

The defence white paper, to be released on Thursday, was a critical part of the transition from the mining construction boom to a new innovative economy.

"We have to overturn the notion that a defence budget is provided simply to buy equipment, shipments and planes from overseas," Mr Turnbull said.

The nation's security depended on a strong defence industry.

"We are committed to that. It is vital to our security. It is vital to our innovation agenda. It is vital to securing our safety and our prosperity in the decades ahead," the prime minister said.

The white paper, the government's top-level strategic and defence planning document, would provide fully-costed details of why a significant increase in defence spending was vital so Australia could prepare for emerging security challenges.

"Key to this commitment ... is the priority we give to ensuring every available defence dollar, wherever possible, is leveraged to promote a strong, innovative globally competitive Australian defence industry," Mr Turnbull said.