Australia to ramp up missile production
SYDNEY—Australia said it was boosting its missile defense capability amid “significant concerns” about China’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the South Pacific, and will bolster weapons stockpiles and exports to security partners as the region enters a new “missile age.”
Minister for defense industry Pat Conroy said in a speech on Wednesday that Australia was increasing its missile defense and long-range strike capability, and would cooperate with security partners the United States, Japan and South Korea, to contribute to regional stability.
“Why do we need more missiles? Strategic competition between the United States and China is a primary feature of Australia’s security environment,” he said.
China test fired an ICBM in September that traveled over 11,000 km to land in the Pacific Ocean to Australia’s north-east.
‘Tools of coercion’
Conroy said the Indo-Pacific was on the cusp of a new missile age, where missiles are also “tools of coercion.”
Australia was deploying SM-6 missiles on its navy destroyer fleet to provide ballistic missile defense, he added.
Australia earlier announced a A$7 billion ($4.6 billion) deal with the United States to acquire SM-2 IIIC and Raytheon SM-6 long-range missiles for its navy.
Australia had said it would spend A$74 billion ($49 billion) on missile acquisition and missile defense.
