2023-07-29 08:09:11
A missile is launched from a US Army Himars system during joint military exercises with the Australian Army at a range in northern Australia at Shoalwater Bay on July 22, 2023. ANDREW LEESON / AFP
The United States will bolster its arms stockpile by helping Australia establish a missile manufacturing industry, officials from both countries said on Saturday (July 29th). “We expect missile manufacturing to begin in Australia within two years, as part of a collective industrial base between our two countries”Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters.
“We are very pleased with the steps we are taking towards establishing a guided weapons and explosive ordnance business in this country”, he added. Australia will develop Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS).
As part of the announcement, which followed talks with Mr Marles and Australian Foreign Secretary Penny Wong, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visited Brisbane on Saturday.
Nascent industry
This collaboration will enable Australia to develop its nascent domestic missile industry and ensure a reliable supply chain for the US armed forces in the future.
It comes against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, which has strained military supply chains in the United States, gradually reducing its stockpiles of missiles and other ammunition.
Australia is currently revamping its own armed forces, moving towards long-range strike capabilities to keep potential enemies such as China at bay.
Canberra has also agreed to rehabilitate military bases in the strategically important north of the country so that they can host training exercises and allow for increased rotations of US troops. “We have made significant progress on US force posture initiatives”said Mr. Marles.
On the same day as this announcement, Australia had to suspend the major military operation Talisman Saber, conducted with the United States, after the crash of an army helicopter whose four crew members are missing. Japan, France, Germany and South Korea also participate in these large-scale military exercises. A total of 30,000 soldiers are involved.
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