** Australian defense stocks soar, tracking U.S. peers' overnight advances .N
** 2027's military budget should be $1.5 trillion, higher than $901 billion approved by Congress for 2026, Donald Trump says
** Shipbuilder Austal ASB.AX rises as much as 4% to A$8.11, highest since October 9, 2025
** Co had executed contracts with branches of U.S. military
** DroneShield DRO.AX gains as much as 6% to A$4.08, highest since November 4, 2025
** Defence tech firm executed contracts with U.S. Department of Defense
(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)
((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))