Australia is starting a significant military modernization and shifting its emphasis toward long-range attack weapons in an attempt to deter potential adversaries like China.
To balance with China
In order to offset China’s growing military might, Australia has agreed to a contract to purchase powerful long-range weaponry from the United States, officials announced on Monday.
The arsenal of over 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles, which cost $830 million, will be among Australia’s “most potent and technologically advanced” weaponry, according to the nation’s defense minister.
Australia is starting a significant military modernization and shifting its emphasis toward long-range attack weapons in the hope to intimidate potential adversaries like China.
Safeguard the locals of Australia
Defense Minister Richard Marles stated in a statement that “we are investing in the abilities that our Defense Force requires to maintain our adversaries at risk further from the shores of Australia and keep Australians secure in the intricate and uncertain world in which we live today.”
The Hobart Class destroyers of the Australian Navy will be equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a strike range of over a thousand kilometers (620 miles).
They will eventually be put to use by Australia’s mobile nuclear-powered submarines that were bought as part of the historic AUKUS deal.
Accepted HIMARS missiles from US
The United States and the United Kingdom, Australia’s AUKUS allies, are the only other nations possessing sizable Tomahawk missile stockpiles.
Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said, “As we approach what many experts consider to be the missile age, these will be essential resources for the Australian Defense Force in carrying out its job of safeguarding Australians.”
In January, Canberra announced that it had accepted a US offer to also acquire HIMARS rockets, the mobile artillery weapon employed to devastating effect by the Ukrainian army.
Domestic production will begin soon
In an effort to restore supply lines that the Ukraine War has disrupted, Washington recently stated that it would assist Australia in developing its very own national missile manufacturing business.
Conroy continued, “We are purchasing these weapons today to give capability soon.”
But because it’s crucial to develop independent Australian defense manufacturing capabilities, we are also looking into domestic missile production options.
Recently, the US Army tested an initial hypersonic cruise missile at the ADF’s weapons range in outback South Australia.
