Australia will be reinforcing its strategic and scientific capabilities in the south pole while concerns loom of Chinese economic expansion in the region. The $800 million (US$580 million) boost will raise Australia’s total investment in the region over the next decade to $3 billion. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison highlighted the funding would bring a swathe of new hardware to Antarctica while continuing to support scientific research operations. “The money we are investing in drone fleets, helicopters, and other vehicles will enable us to explore areas of East Antarctica’s inland that no country has ever been able to reach before,” Morrison said in a release on Feb. 22. A sizable $136.6 million will go towards Australia’s inland traverse capabilities, critical charting activities, mobile stations, and other core activities. Australia’s Antarctic team will also receive $60.6 million worth of drone fleets and other autonomous vehicles, along with $35 million for four …