Australia strengthens defense with $540m missile deal
10:42 AM EDT, August 22, 2024
Australia announced the signing of an agreement with the Norwegian company Kongsberg. The contract, valued at $540 million, involves state-of-the-art long-range missiles. This is another step to strengthen Australia's military capability amid the growing arms race in the Pacific.
During a press conference in Newcastle, Australian Defense Minister Pat Conroy announced that a factory would be built at the city's airport in collaboration with the well-known Norwegian corporation. Production is expected to begin by 2027.
Australia is spending more on armaments
The new factory will produce Joint Strike Missiles (JSM), which will be delivered to the Australian Armed Forces and for export. Conroy emphasized that it will be one of only two facilities capable of manufacturing this type of missile.
JSM missiles are adapted to be carried by modern American F-35A fighter jets. The Australian facility is expected to produce up to 100 such missiles annually. Each missile measures approximately 13 feet in length and can strike both surface targets and land targets.
In response to China's growing influence in the Pacific, Australia has significantly boosted its military capabilities. In collaboration with the United States, it is developing a hypersonic missile program and will begin producing guided missiles in the coming year.
F-35A in australia
About 2,000 U.S. Marine soldiers spend six months a year in Australia. The country already has two squadrons of F-35A fighters, one in Williamstown near Newcastle and another at a base in Katherine in the Northern Territory. The latter has been modernized by the U.S. to accommodate American bombers.
The F-35A is a supersonic multi-role fighter jet built with stealth technology. It belongs to the CTOL class (Conventional Take-off and Landing), which means it is an aircraft with a conventional take-off and landing method. It measures 51 feet in length and has a wingspan of 35 feet. It can operate at altitudes up to 49,000 feet and carry more than 27,000 pounds of weaponry.
In the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and South Korea also possess these American fighter squadrons.
