Australia Ramps Up Missile Production

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Facts

  • Following China's recent test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the South Pacific, Australia announced plans to bolster its missile defense systems and long-range strike capabilities.[1]
  • Minister of Defense Industry Pat Conroy said they will build an AU$316M ($207M) factory to manufacture Lockheed Martin’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), which will begin manufacturing 4K GMLRS annually in 2029.[2][1]
  • Besides the factory, which will be the first of its kind outside the US, French defense company Thales will manufacture up to 100K rounds of 155mm M795 artillery ammunition at a facility in the Australian state of Victoria, beginning in 2028.[3]
  • The government estimates the entire program will cost AU$74B (US$48B) over 10 years. It will also include the purchase of US Tomahawk missiles to expand the navy's long-range missile range from 200 km (124 miles) to 2.5K km (1,553 miles), which could reportedly reach mainland China.[4]
  • Other provisions include a $160M contract with BAE Systems Australia to triple the production of Passive Radio Frequency Sensors and a joint manufacturing agreement with a Norwegian company to build fighter jet-applicable Joint Strike Missiles.[2]
  • During his press conference, Minister Conroy referenced China's ICBM test in September, during which a missile traveled over 11 km (6,835 miles) and landed in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Australia.[1]

Sources: [1]Al Jazeera, [2]Breaking Defense, [3]Reuters and [4]SBS News.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by airuniversity.af.edu. Australia has no choice but to boost its missile capabilities to counter China and safeguard regional stability. While this strategy should be preventative and de-escalating in nature, the rapid advancement of Beijing's naval and missile systems requires Canberra to enhance its own deterrence and power projection from its northern territories. This should be a group effort between Australia, the US, and other Pacific region militaries.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Global Times. The entire Asia Pacific region must seriously consider the consequences of partnering with the warmongering US. These missile programs — particularly regarding covert nuclear-armed submarines — are not aimed at maintaining peace but rather enriching American weapons companies and provoking China. The US doesn't care if Southeast Asian countries bear the brunt of its cold war with Beijing, which should worry everyone involved.

Predictions