In an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States has pledged to assist Australia in manufacturing guided missiles and rockets by 2025. This collaboration on guided weapon production comes after a trilateral partnership announcement in March, where Britain agreed to provide Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.
During the annual talks between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the decision to deepen defense cooperation and increase integration between the U.S. and Australian militaries was made. As part of this agreement, Australia will begin producing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems by 2025.
This move strengthens the defense industrial base and technological edge of both countries, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Austin. The collaboration will also involve U.S. companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who established an Australian enterprise to build guided weapons last year in response to the munitions shortage caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Furthermore, the United States and Australia have agreed to upgrade joint military facilities in Australia and increase U.S. nuclear submarine visits to the region. This expansion of U.S. presence in the South Pacific comes as the region takes center stage in the competition between the United States and China for influence. Last year, China signed a security pact with Solomon Islands and expressed interest in establishing a naval base there.
The U.S. defense secretary, Austin, and Australia’s defense minister, Marles, will visit north Queensland to inspect Talisman Sabre, a biennial military exercise involving 13 nations and over 30,000 military personnel.
Unfortunately, the meeting between the U.S. and Australian officials was overshadowed by the loss of an Australian Army helicopter with four air crew during military exercises off the northeastern coast of Australia. The U.S., Australian, and Canadian militaries are participating in search efforts near Whitsunday Islands to find any potential survivors.
“We’re racing to accelerate Australia’s priority access to munitions through a streamlined acquisition process.” – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
It is crucial for the United States and Australia to strengthen their defense capabilities in the face of China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region. By collaborating on guided missile production, both countries can enhance their military capabilities and maintain a technological edge. This partnership not only serves the interests of the United States and Australia but also contributes to regional stability and security.
