Australia will spend $7 billion on state-of-the-art long-range missiles systems to beef up the country’s air defences.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the purchase of Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC (SM-2 IIIC) and Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) weapons from the United States would boost the long-range capability of Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said the SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 were the most advanced air and missile defence weapons in the world and would be progressively deployed across Navy’s Hobart class destroyers and in the future, the Hunter class frigates.
He said the weapons contained advanced technologies that would greatly enhance the lethality and effectiveness of Australia’s Navy ships.
“The SM-2 IIIC brings active seeker technology and significantly enhanced defensive capabilities against missile threats.
“The SM-6 missile will provide Australia with extended range air defence capability against air and missile threats, an offensive anti-ship capability and for the first time, a terminal ballistic missile defence capability.”
Deputy Prime Minister Marles said the SM-2 IIIC and SM-6 would complement existing capabilities such as ESSM Block 2 and Naval Strike Missile as part of a layered strike and missile defence capability for Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
“The Standard Missile 6 and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC will enable our Navy to strike maritime, land and air targets at long-range, boosting the capacity for the Australian Defence Force to safeguard Australians and their interests.”
