The Albanese Labor government is continuing its U.S. defence spending spree, announcing it will buy more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles for the navy’s Hobart-class destroyers at a price tag of $1.3 billion (U.S.$833 million).
The missile’s ability to provide long-range strike capabilities of 1,500 kilometres is fundamental to the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to deter any adversary at longer distances.
The purchase will also make Australia one of only three nations, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, with the capability.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the move was connected to the Defence Strategic Review’s recommendation that Australia needs long-range strike ability.
“We are investing in the capabilities our Defence Force needs to hold our adversaries at risk further from our shores and keep Australians safe in the complex and uncertain world in which we live today,” Mr. Marles said.
He also signalled the Albanese government would be considering how we could manufacture the missiles in Australia.
“The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of having not just war stocks but a domestic missile manufacturing industry, and this announcement will help deliver that.”
Mr. Conroy said that the world was entering the missile age, and the new capabilities will be “vital tools for the Australian Defence Force to do its job of defending Australians.”
Sale Vital to US Security
The announcement follows the approval from the U.S. State Department to sell up to 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia earlier in March.“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States,” the department said.
“Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.
“It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defence capability.
Albanese Government Increasing Military Capabilities
The news of the Tomahawk buy follows the announcement on Aug. 19 that Australia will more than double the number of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers being acquired for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at a cost of $1.6 billion. The buy will bring the number of HIMARS owned by Australia to 42.The land-based, long-range, surface-to-surface HIMARS and associated munitions and support systems will ensure the ADF is equipped to deter potential threats and keep Australians safe.
“Australia is investing in enhanced long-range capabilities across all domains, which will deliver a persistent, long-range, all-weather, rapid response capability that is operationally deployable and tactically mobile,” Mr. Conroy said on Aug.19.
“As well as acquiring HIMARS from the U.S., the government is taking important steps towards domestic missile manufacturing, aiming to both build up Australia’s defence industry, protect our supply chains and contribute to easing global demand.”
The project will also see Australia buy the Precision Strike Missile, which is expected to have a maximum range beyond 500 kilometres.
To support the accelerated acquisition of a long-range strike capability, Defence is developing detailed plans for a Guided Weapons Production Capability to manufacture HIMARS-compatible missiles in Australia from 2025.
Meanwhile, the Royal Australian Airforce will acquire more than 60 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile—Extended Range (AARGM-ER) missiles from the U.S. under a $431 million spend.
Another $50 million will also be spent to provide the Australian Army’s boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles with Spike Long-Range 2 anti-tank guided missiles.
