US set to help Australia manufacture guided missiles by 2025
The United States will expand its military footprint in Australia by helping Canberra manufacture guided missiles and rockets for both countries within two years.
During talks with their counterparts, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed to cooperate on Australia producing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems by 2025.
They were in Queensland state on Saturday for the annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) dialogue with their Australian counterparts Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
They also agreed on more frequent and longer visits of US submarines to Australia.
Austin said the move on missiles would strengthen the two allies’ defense industrial base and technological edge.
Washington is also accelerating Australia’s access to priority munitions through a streamlined acquisition process, according to the defense secretary.
“We’re racing to accelerate Australia’s priority access to munitions through a streamlined acquisition process,” Austin said.
Australia’s Marles welcomed US support to achieve Australian missile production.
“We are really pleased with the steps that we are taking in respect of establishing a guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise in this country.”
He also said there would be an “increased tempo of visits from American nuclear-powered submarines to our waters” as part of the bilateral engagement.
Australia is currently pivoting towards long-range strike capabilities to keep potential adversaries like China at arm’s length.
It has recently purchased the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
Washington and Canberra also rehearsed precision missile strikes during war games earlier this month.
Australia has in recent years revealed where it stands in the world, by taking the side of the US over China, which has begun to challenge US dominance in the Asia-Pacific region.
China has repeatedly warned about the establishment of an “Asia-Pacific version of NATO” and made clear its opposition to any foreign military involvement in the region.
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