Australia on Friday confirmed plans to buy long-range cruise missiles from the United States as part of the AUKUS security pact, after Washington announced the sale of up to 220 Tomahawk missiles to Canberra.
“We are working with the United States to have more missile capacity”said Australia’s defense minister, underlining the country’s need to arm itself with “longer range” missiles capable of “reaching beyond our shores”.
However, in statements to Australia’s Nine television network, Richard Marles declined to give details of how many long-range missiles Australia will acquire.
The US Department of Defense announced on Thursday that it had approved the sale to Australia of up to 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles for $895 million (841 million euros).
The operation “will enhance Australia’s ability to work with US naval forces and other allied forces” to “counter regional threats and strengthen national defenses,” the ministry said in a statement that makes a veiled allusion. on China.
Australia’s defense industry minister said on Friday that the Tomahawk missiles, which will initially be installed on Australian warships, will serve to “deter any potential adversary” and “promote peace and stability”.
Pat Conroy explained to the ABC public broadcaster that the missiles can be fired from nuclear-powered submarines with conventional weapons that Australia will acquire from Australia.
The submarines can “fire heavy torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. We want the best possible capability for the Australian Defense Force, including the ability to attack opponents as far from the Australian coast as possible,” Conroy said.
The AUKUS pact, signed by Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom in September 2021, provides for the purchase of nuclear submarines, a program that could cost Canberra up to A$368 billion (€231.6 billion).
Source: DN
