Australia announced on Thursday it would boost its defense capabilities by spending more than 1 billion Australian dollars ($700 million) on new advanced missile and rocket systems, including the US-made HIMARS, which has been successfully used . ukraineSoldier of
In Ukraine, mobile, truck-mounted HIMARS have proved vital in enabling Ukrainian forces to hit key targets, including a recent attack on a building that killed at least 89 Russian soldiers.
The Australian government said the Himars it is buying include launchers, missiles and training rockets and will be used until 2026. It said the current range of the system was 300 km (186 mi), which was expected to increase with technological development.
The government said it had also signed a contract with Norway-based Kongsberg to buy Naval Strike missiles for the Navy’s destroyers and frigates, which will replace aging Harpoon anti-ship missiles from next year.
Citing confidentiality for security reasons, the Australian government led by the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, did not give details of the cost of both the systems. Previous reports indicated that Australia is looking to acquire around 20 HIMARS, or High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which are made by Lockheed Martin.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said it was vital the military was equipped with high-end capabilities as it sought to deter potential threats to national security.
“The Albany government is taking a proactive approach to keeping Australia safe – and the Naval strike missiles and HIMARS launchers will give our defense force the ability to prevent conflict and protect our interests,” Marles said in a statement.
Australia and the US have become increasingly concerned about China’s increasing assertiveness in the Pacific in recent years. Those concerns were heightened after China signed a security accord with the Solomon Islands last year, prompting the US to move forward with plans to reopen an embassy in the capital, Honiara.