Australia to Buy $4.7B of US Missiles to Boost Deterrence
Australia to Buy $4.7B of US Missiles to Boost Deterrence
The Facts
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.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.
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."
The Spin
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