The government is investing over $1.7 billion in advanced weapons systems to build the Australian Defence Force (ADF) long-range strike capabilities.
More than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a range of 1500 kilometres, have been purchased for approximately $1.3 billion from the United States, to fit the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart Class destroyers. Australia will be only one of three nations to have them, along with the United States and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the government has approved the acquisition of more than 60 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) missiles from the United States for $431 million.
These air to ground missiles are used to target enemy radar systems, and will be operated on the Royal Australian Air Force’s Growler and Super Hornet aircraft and, in future, on the F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.
The Australian Army’s Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles will also be armed with Spike Long-Range 2 anti-tank guided missiles. This will provide soldiers with the capability to engage with enemy armour at a range of more than five kilometres.
Under a contract worth more than $50 million, Rafael Australia is expected to deliver the first Spike missile early next year.
“Rafael looks forward to continuing to work closely with the ADF and our Australian industry partners to deliver forward-thinking solutions and capabilities that will strengthen Australia’s defence capabilities, and foster investment in Australia’s sovereign industrial capacity,” said Ran Gozali, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Executive Vice President.
The Varley Group will present options to Government for domestic manufacturing.
“As we enter what many are calling the missile age, these will be vital tools for the Australian Defence Force to do its job of defending Australians," said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry.
“We are buying these weapons now to deliver capability quickly – but we are also considering options to manufacture missiles domestically because of the importance of building sovereign Australian defence manufacturing capabilities.”
The Defence Strategic Review emphasised the need for Australia to be able to hold an adversary at risk further from our shores, by developing the ADF’s ability to precisely strike targets at longer range.
“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," said Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister.
“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.”