Australia to invest US$681 million in naval missiles, rocket system used by Ukraine to fight Russia
- Government will spend about US$700 million on new naval missiles and mobile rocket launch systems, which Ukraine has been deploying in the conflict with Russia
- ‘The level of technology involved in these acquisitions takes our forces to the cutting edge of modern military hardware,’ Minister for Defence Industry said
The Australian government on Thursday announced it would spend more than A$1 billion dollars (US$681 million) on new naval missiles and mobile rocket launch systems recently deployed by the Ukrainian military.
The Defence Ministry said it would acquire the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which Ukraine has been deploying over recent months in the conflict with Russia, to be in use by 2026-27.
“HIMARS munitions currently have a range of up to 300 kilometres, which is expected to increase with technological advances,” said a joint statement by Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
The statement said that the Ministry of Defence also signed a contract with Norwegian defence firm Kongsberg for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), set to replace the Harpoon anti-ship missile on the Hobart Class destroyers and Anzac Class frigates from 2024.
Australia to increase defence spending, security with an eye on China, Ukraine war
“The Naval Strike Missile and HIMARS launchers will give our Defence Force the ability to deter conflict and protect our interests,” said Marles, who is also Australia’s deputy prime minister.
“The level of technology involved in these acquisitions takes our forces to the cutting edge of modern military hardware,” said Conroy.
“The Naval Strike Missile is a major step up in capability for our Navy’s warships, while HIMARS launchers have been successfully deployed by the Ukrainian military over recent months and are a substantial new capability for the Army.”
In March this year the Australian government announced one of its largest investments in intelligence and cybersecurity in a move to bolster its defence capability against the backdrop of a more assertive China and an expansionist Russia.
Additional reporting by Bloomberg
