Australia and the United States will jointly develop a supersonic missile to counter the threat posed by China and Russia, Australian Defense Minister Linda Reynolds said Tuesday (Dec. 1).
Australia will work with the United States to develop a supersonic missile to counter the threat posed by China and Russia, which are developing similar weapons, Australian Defense Minister Linda Reynolds said Tuesday (Dec. 1).
In a statement, Reynolds said, “We will continue to invest in advanced (weapons) capabilities to give the Australian Defense Force more options to deter attacks on Australian interests.”
Reynolds did not disclose the exact cost of the missile development or when it will be operational, but Australia’s budget for this year includes $6.8 billion for the development of high-speed and long-range missile defense systems, including research into supersonic weapons.
Hypersonic missiles are capable of traveling at more than five times the speed of sound, and their maneuverability and altitude make them difficult to detect and intercept.
Russia deployed its first supersonic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads last year; the U.S. Department of Defense conducted supersonic missile tests in 2017, with deployment targeted for the mid-2020s; and defense experts believe that China has deployed or is close to deploying supersonic weapons systems with conventional warheads.
Australia said in July that it would increase its defense budget by 40 percent over the next decade to acquire long-range strike capabilities by air, sea, and land. The Australian government is expanding its military focus from the Pacific to the Indo-Pacific region.
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