Relations between Washington and Canberra have good days. Within two years, Australia will set up a missile manufacturing industry financially supported by the United States, which will at the same time strengthen its arms stocks. “We are very pleased with the steps we are taking to establish a guided weapons and explosive ordnance business in this country,” said Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles.
Under this partnership, Australia will develop Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS). US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin traveled to Brisbane for the announcement, which followed talks with Richard Marles and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Limit Chinese influence in Oceania
Washington will now work with Australia to develop its nascent domestic missile industry, with the aim of securing a reliable pipeline for its own armed forces in the future. The war in Ukraine has strained military supply chains in the United States, gradually depleting inventories of missiles and other munitions.
Australia is currently revamping its own armed forces, moving towards long-range strike capabilities to keep potential enemies such as China at bay.
The two-day meeting between Australian and US officials focused on regional security and military cooperation as Washington and its allies try to limit China’s growing influence in the Pacific.
More US soldiers on Australian soil
During these discussions, Australia suspended a major military exercise with the United States and other countries, after the crash of an Australian army helicopter with the four members of the crew missing.
Canberra has also agreed to rehabilitate military bases in the north of the country, a strategically located region, so that they can house training exercises and allow more frequent rotations of American troops.
“We have made significant progress on US force posture initiatives,” said Richard Marles. Australia will also host at “a higher rate” visits from nuclear-powered nuclear submarines, according to Australia’s defense minister.