Australia is set to arm its troops with advanced anti-ship missiles as the country faces a growing naval threat from China. The move aims to boost military firepower and protect key maritime approaches.
Two types of long-range missiles are under evaluation, with a decision expected by the end of the year. If chosen, these missiles would be fired from mobile launchers and have a range of up to 1,000km. One contender is Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile, which could be used in conjunction with High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.
China recently conducted naval maneuvers off the Australian coast, sparking concerns about its intentions. The move is seen as a challenge to Canberra’s resolve and surveillance capabilities. Australia currently spends around 2% of GDP on defense, which is below NATO’s recommended target.
The deployment of anti-ship missiles echoes China’s own approach in building a massive missile force decades ago. However, this response aims to match or exceed the reach of those in China’s arsenal, with longer-range missiles that can detect threats from multiple directions.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-moves-arm-troops-with-anti-ship-missiles-china-threat-looms-2025-03-13