The Straits Times

Japantimes

On Tuesday, Australia announced a $4.7B deal to arm its warships with US medium- and long-range missiles as part of its new defense strategy unveiled earlier this year. The SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles will be placed on the Royal Australian Navy's three Hobart-class destroyers.

The Defense Post

Australia's purchase of the "most advanced air defence missiles in the world" follows the country becoming the first outside the US to fire an SM-6 in August. Australian Defense Minister Pat Conroy said they would defend Australia "in the missile age."

Reuters

Mint

The SM-6 and SM-2 Block IIIC would boost the Australian Navy's long-range strike capabilities amid the "most complex geo-strategic environment since the Second World War." Conroy had also announced in August plans to manufacture long-range missiles in Newcastle, north of Sydney.

Time

Al Jazeera

In recent years, Australia has recalibrated its military strategy toward an area-denial capability amid intensifying US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier this year, it released a Defense Strategic Review proposing to overhaul its capabilities toward this goal.

The review mooted six priority areas, including acquiring nuclear submarines, long-range strike capabilities, and strengthening northern military bases, amid China's military rise in the Indo-Pacific.

Guardian

Australia plans to increase defense spending beyond the current 2% of GDP and deploy nuclear submarines in a deal with the US and UK known as Aukus.

Australia Tuesday announced a $4.7B deal to arm its warships with US medium- and long-range missiles, inline with its new defense strategy unveiled earlier this year. The SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles will be placed on the Royal Australian Navy’s three Hobart-class destroyers.

Australia's purchase of the "most advanced air defence missiles in the world" follows the country becoming the first — other than the US itself — to reportedly fire an SM-6 in August. Australian Defense Minister Pat Conroy said they would defend Australia "in the missile age.”

Reuters #

The SM-6 and SM-2 Block IIIC would boost the Australian Navy’s long-range strike capabilities amid the "most complex geo-strategic environment since the Second World War." Conroy had also announced in August plans to manufacture long-range missiles in Newcastle, north of Sydney.

Time #4012

Al Jazeera #3176

In recent years, Australia has recalibrated its military strategy towards an area denial capability amid intensifying US-China rivalry in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier this year, it had released a Defense Strategic Review, proposing to overhaul its capabilities towards this goal.

RT #2531

The review mooted six priority areas, including the acquisition of nuclear submarines, long-range strike capabilities, and strengthening northern military bases, amid China's military rise — "the largest and most ambitious of any country" since World War II — in the Indo-Pacific.

Guardian #5134

Australia plans to increase defense spending beyond the current 2% of GDP. It also plans to deploy nuclear submarines in a deal with the US and UK known as Aukus.

Australia has made a bold strategic move with the investment in advanced US-made SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles. Besides significantly boosting its naval defense, it cements Australia's alliance with America. It underscores growing concerns about regional security, even though some argue that the China threat is overstated. However, Australia must not solely rely on the US for defense amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Breaking Defense

Australia announces $7B for SM-2, SM-6 missiles in huge munitions purchase

Lowy Institute

A compelling voice for rethinking Australia’s national security

Australia is unnecessarily hyping up the "China threat" narrative. China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and does not pose a challenge to any country. Australia's increased military spending and focus on long-range strike capabilities may contribute to regional tensions and an arms race, potentially undermining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.

Beijing says don’t ‘hype up the so-called China threat narrative’ after Australian criticism

Australian military not ‘fit for purpose’ – government review

There is a 31% chance Australia will operate a nuclear power plant before 2042, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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Australia to Buy $4.7B US Missiles Amid Asia-Pacific Tensions

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Australia has made a bold strategic move by investing in advanced US-made SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 missiles. This move significantly boosts its naval defense and cements Australia's alliance with the US. It underscores growing concerns about regional security, even though some argue that the China threat is overstated. However, Australia must not solely rely on the US for defense amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

There's a 31% chance that Australia will operate a nuclear power plant before 2042, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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Australia to Buy $4.7B of US Missiles to Boost Deterrence

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Australia to Buy $4.7B of US Missiles to Boost Deterrence

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