Republican Donald Trump has unveiled a plan to boost military spending by tens of billions of dollars, promising major increases in the number of active troops, Navy ships and submarines, and fighter planes.
The New York businessman, who has struggled at times to demonstrate a command of foreign policy, also seemed to acknowledge he does not currently have a plan to address cyber security or the Islamic State group.
If elected, Trump said he would give military leaders 30 days to formulate a plan to defeat the group, commonly known as ISIS. And he would ask the joint chiefs of staff to conduct a review of the nation's cyber defences to determine all vulnerabilities.
RELATED READING
The white vote a political analyst says Trump won’t get
Trump's address came hours before his national security acumen is tested at a "commander in chief" forum on NBC.
"We want to defer, avoid and prevent conflict through our unquestioned military strength," Trump declared of his Democratic opponent in his Wednesday speech, delivered inside the exclusive Union League of Philadelphia, which first allowed women in 1986.
The appearances mark an intense, two-day focus on national security by Trump, who has offered tough rhetoric on America's challenges abroad but few details.
The United States currently spends more than $US600 billion ($A782 billion) a year on the military, more than the next seven countries combined.
Trump's rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton, has tried to paint the billionaire businessman as erratic, making the case that his disposition would be a major liability on the world stage.
"They know they can count on me to be the kind of commander in chief who will protect our country and our troops, and they know they cannot count on Donald Trump,'' Clinton said on Tuesday. "They view him as a danger and a risk.''
