SYDNEY: The Australian government on Monday announced the purchase of more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US for the Royal Australian Navy, for approximately Australian $1.3 billion (US$83 million), reported German news agency (dpa).
Australia will be only one of three nations to have the 1,500 kilometre range missiles, along with the United States and Britain.
According to Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, long-range strike missiles and other guided weapons are essential in the new era of geopolitical upheaval and risk.
“We are investing in the capabilities our Defence Force needs to hold our adversaries at risk further from our shores and keep Australians safe in the complex and uncertain world in which we live today,” he said in a Monday statement.
In addition, the government in Canberra has approved the purchase of more than 60 extended range anti-radar missiles.
These air to ground missiles will be operated on the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of fighter jets.
A recent defence review emphasized the need for Australia to be able to hold an adversary at risk further from Australian shores, by developing the ability to make precise strikes on targets at longer range, the statement said.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said Australia also plans to build up its domestic missile manufacturing capabilities.
“We are buying these weapons now to deliver capability quickly – but we are also considering options to manufacture missiles domestically because of the importance of building sovereign Australian defence manufacturing capabilities,” Conroy said in the statement.
The US, Britain and Australia in 2021 launched a security alliance called AUKUS – from the abbreviations for the three countries. – BERNAMA-dpa
