Australia, US strike $4.7 billion deal for long-range missiles

Australia has finalized a $4.7 billion agreement to acquire long-range Standard Missiles from the United States, as announced by the Australian Ministry of Defence and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

The agreement aims to bolster Australia's air and missile defence capabilities, specifically through the purchase of Standard Missile 2 Block III C (SM-2 III C) and Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) systems, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Marles emphasized that these advanced missiles would be gradually installed on all of the Australian Navy's Hobart-class destroyers and subsequently on Hunter-class frigates.

He stated, “The SM-2 III C and SM-6 are the most advanced air and missile defences in the world. They will enhance the echeloned strike and missile defence of the surface combatant fleet, complementing the ESSM Block 2 and Naval Strike Missile currently in service with the Australian Navy.”

Marles highlighted this initiative as part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's efforts to modernize the Australian military and enhance the defence capabilities of its armed forces.

Additionally, the U.S. Navy, in collaboration with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the Australian Department of Defence, successfully conducted the first intercept test of a medium-range ballistic missile using the SM-6 Dual II missile in March, with support from the Australian Navy for data collection and target observation in a combat simulation environment.

In April, Australia unveiled a defence strategy that envisaged a sharp rise in defence spending to counter its vulnerability to foes interrupting trade or preventing access to vital air and sea routes.

Besides rapidly developing its surface fleet, Australia plans to deploy stealthy nuclear-powered submarines in a tripartite agreement with the United States and Britain known as AUKUS.

By Tamilla Hasanova