Australia is set to enhance its missile defense infrastructure post China’s recent testing of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in the South Pacific – a development that has elicited significant concerns with Canberra , as the entire Indo-Pacific is on the verge of what the experts describe as a burgeoning ‘missile age’.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, as cited by international news agencies affirmed that the nation intends to augment its missile defense and long range strike capabilities. Conroy further stressed that the Australia would work in coordination with key security allies – the United States , Japan and South Korea – to address issues pivotal to regional stability.
“Why do we need more missiles?” Minister Pat Conroy posed rhetorically before the National Press Club in Canberra, subsequently elaborating that the strategic rivalry between the US and China represents a primary feature of Australia’s security environment. Conroy further observed that this rivalry further manifests most acutely within the Indo-Pacific region which stands at the threshold of an emergent missile era- an era increasingly marked by missiles being potent ‘instruments of coercion’. He further noted that Australia was integrating SM-6 missiles into its fleet of naval destroyers aiming to bolster ballistic missile defense capabilities.
Conroy’s statement also underscored China’s September test launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM),which traversed over 11,000 kilometers before descending into the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia. Addressing an inquiry, he informed reporters that the Australian Government had conveyed significant concerns regarding the Chinese Intercontinental Ballistic Missile test, specifically it’s entry into the South Pacific region.This was cited as especially troubling in light of the Treaty of Rarotonga which designates the Pacific as a “nuclear weapons-free zone.” Earlier this month, Australia disclosed a significant A$7 Billion accord with the United States to secure SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 long range missiles from Raytheon (RTX.N) to enhance the capabilities of its naval base.
Australia has previously committed to investing A$74 Billion over the next decade over missile acquisition and missile defense, encompassing A$21 Billion dedicated to the Australian guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise – a newly established domestic manufacturing initiative. “ We must demonstrate to potential adversaries that any hostile action against Australia would not succeed and could not be sustained in the event of prolonged conflict,” Conroy asserted in his address.
Australia has further committed A$316 million to initiate domestic production of guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) in collaboration with Lockheed Martin with the aim of producing these rapidly deplorable , surface to surface weapons for export starting in 2029. As per Conroy, the facility will have the capacity to produce 4000 GMLRS units annually which accounts 1/4th of the current global arsenal.
