Seoul, South Korea
CNN
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Australia on Thursday said it had purchased two advanced missile and rocket systems, including the one Ukraine used in a devastating force against Russia as a deterrent to potential regional threats to its security. confirmed.
Purchases of the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) systems have been underway since then-Defense Minister Peter Dutton spoke of war in Ukraine and a looming threat from China last spring. . , indicated that Australia needed to upgrade its defensive weapons systems.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marls reiterated that point on Thursday in a statement on the two deals.
“The Albanian government is taking a proactive approach to safeguarding Australia’s security, and our naval attack missiles and HIMARS launchers add to our defenses ability to deter conflict and protect our interests. will give you,” said Marles.
Defense Minister Pat Conroy said, “The level of technology included in these acquisitions will bring our military to the latest in military hardware.
Since the United States began supplying HIMARS launchers to Kyiv last summer, HIMARS launchers have been seen as making a big difference to Ukraine.
Just last week, a HIMARS strike made headlines for killing dozens of Russian conscripts held at a vocational school in the occupied Donetsk region.
The US State Department approved the sale to Australia last May, setting the price for the package, including the associated equipment, at $385 million.
But the system is land-based, and the Norwegian-designed naval attack missile may be more suitable for Australia’s defenses for the time being.
The steerable sea skimming weapon will be deployed on Australian Navy destroyers and frigates. With a range of 185 kilometers (115 miles), it will more than double the range of missiles on board Australian ships today, the Australian Ministry of Defense said in a statement last April when it first announced the purchase. rice field.
Naval attack missiles will begin replacing Harpoon missiles on Australian warships in 2024, and HIMARS is expected to be in Australia’s arsenal by 2026-27, according to a statement Thursday.
Some Australian military analysts said Thursday’s announcement was largely due to political reasons. .
“I think there is a deeper political message to show that the new left-leaning government is keen on defense spending,” said Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Institute for Asia and a former Royal Australian Air Force officer. .
The purchase of land warfare-focused HIMARS systems may be a way to keep military supporters’ votes as much of Australia’s defense focus is on China.AUKUS with US and UK pact.
“Now that the Middle East war is over, the Australian Army is looking for a role,” Leighton said. “Given Australia’s current strategic situation in favor of the Air Force and Navy, they cannot find a place for themselves.”
Ian Hall, deputy director of research at Griffith Asia, said the role of HIMARS is under discussion in the country.
“I imagine HIMARS could be used in an emergency situation somewhere in Southeast Asia or the Pacific,” he said, noting that the U.S. Marine Corps is considering deploying to islands in the Pacific in the event of hostilities. , noted that they have been conducting exercises using HIMARS. regional.
