 Australia's Minister for Defense Linda Reynolds speaks during a news conference at the US Department of State following the 30th AUSMIN in Washington, D.C. July 28, 2020. (Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Pool via REUTERS) |
The country plans to provide its navy with advanced long-range anti-ship missiles, extended range surface-to-air missiles, advanced lightweight torpedoes, and maritime land strike capabilities to “project and maintain sea control”, the government said in a statement.
“These new capabilities will provide a strong, credible deterrent that will ensure stability and security in the region,” Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said in the statement.
The spending is part of a previously announced defence budget increase over the next decade as the country seeks to pivot its military focus to the Indo-Pacific region.
The government said it would provide anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles with ranges of more than 370 km, and maritime land strike missiles with ranges of 1,500 km to “enhance the protection of our maritime resources and borders, and hold adversaries at risk of much greater distances”.