Albo’s arsenal: New rockets and missiles in $1 billion shift to ‘aggressive posture’
New missiles and rockets will be used to step up Australia’s national security with the defence force shifting to a more aggressive posture.
Naval strike missiles will be loaded onto destroyers and frigates from 2024 and long-range, surface-to-surface rocket systems will be in use by 2027.
The truck-mounted launchers have been successfully deployed by the Ukrainian military over recent months.
The rocket system has a range of 300km, which is expected to increase to more than 500km as technology advances.
Cabinet minister Murray Watt says the increased range of the 20 rocket systems will be a significant boost to Australia’s capabilities with the army’s missile launchers currently only able to hit targets 40km to 50km away.
“One of the really key benefits of this is not just the mobility of these vehicles and these forces, but the range that those missiles can be fired,” he told Sky News.
“We really want to make sure that our defence forces have the best equipment to keep Australian people safe.”
The total package is set to cost taxpayers $1 billion.
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The defence force is moving to a new “impactful projection” doctrine, where it is gearing up to be able to strike and deter enemies in the region at much greater distances.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the defence force must be equipped with high-end military capabilities.
“The naval strike missile and (rocket) launchers will give our defence force the ability to deter conflict and protect our interests,” he said.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the new systems were at the cutting edge of modern military technology.
