Australia is prepared to spend up to US$770 million (A$1 billion) for long-range anti-ship missiles, lightweight torpedoes and maritime land-attack capabilities as it seeks to counter growing China's growing military reach.
A defense spending package announced Monday by the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison will modernize the Royal Australian Navy with weapon designs both homemade and by its U.S. ally to project and maintain sea control against China's People's Liberation Army Navy.
Australia wants its future anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles to be capable of finding and destroying warships at ranges in excess of 370 kilometers (230 miles). The new maritime land strike missiles should be able to reach out to 1,500km (932 miles).
Australia and China remain robust trade partners for commodities such as iron ore, though tensions have risen recently over Canberra's calls for an investigation into the spread of the COVID-19 virus from Wuhan, China, with China reducing coal imports from Australia.
The outlay will go to protect Australia's maritime resources and borders Minister for Defense Linda Reynolds said.
"These new capabilities will provide a strong, credible deterrent that will ensure stability and security in the region," according to Reynolds. "The planned acquisitions, when aligned with the ongoing state-of-the-art combat system development and national shipbuilding programs, represent an investment of up to A$24 billion, which will build a lethal and highly responsive Navy for decades to come."
Reynolds said the weapons' acquisition project also seeks opportunities to broaden Australia's weapons manufacturing base, thereby reinforcing the government's long-term commitment to Australian industry and delivering sovereign industrial capabilities.
"This investment is part of the Morrison government's A$183 billion Naval Shipbuilding Plan, which will see up to 23 classes of vessels built here in Australia, creating thousands of jobs and significant opportunities for Australian industry."
The defense ministry will continue its long-term investment and key contribution to the Evolved SeaSparrow Block 2 missile program developed by the United States. It will also invest in developing the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC surface-to-air missile and the Standard Missile 6 Block 1 to meet Australia's long-range air defense requirements.
