Australia to spend $914m on new naval missiles, rocket system

SYDNEY - Australia said it would be investing more than A$1 billion (S$914 million) to buy new naval missiles and a land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars).

Canberra said Himars would deter attacks on Australia but could also be transported by plane for deployment worldwide.

The missile system Australia is buying is the same one that Ukraine has deployed on the battlefield against invading Russian forces.

“The effectiveness of the Himars system in the Ukraine conflict has certainly influenced the government’s decision,” Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy told public broadcaster ABC on Thursday.

The government acted quickly to order the missiles to secure its place in the queue given a “massive increase” in global demand for Himars, Mr Conroy said.

“In the current strategic environment, it’s important the Australian Defence Force is equipped with high-end, targeted military capabilities,” Minister for Defence Richard Marles said.

He added that the level of technology involved in these acquisitions takes its forces to the cutting edge of modern military hardware.

Australia hopes to deploy Himars, which includes launchers, missiles and training rockets, in 2026-2027.

Part of the A$1 billion expenditure will also cover the naval strike missile made by Norway-based Kongsberg, which is to equip Australia’s destroyers and frigates from 2024.

Himars would extend the Australian army’s strike range from 30km to 300km, and eventually to 500km with a future precision-strike missile, Mr Conroy said.

Asked whether the Himars would be deployed in the Pacific region, where China has growing military and diplomatic clout, the minister said the ease with which it could be transported anywhere in the world made it a “really fundamental asset”. AFP, REUTERS