Australia’s Navy to shell out $1.7billion on 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles to ward of China’s growing military presence in the region

The Australian Navy will arm more than 200 Tomahawk missiles over concerns over China’s growing military presence in the region.

Defense Secretary Pat Conroy will announce on Monday a $1.7 billion investment in new, hi-tech missiles to expand the Australian Defense Force’s strike capability.

The purchase follows recommendations made in the Defense Strategic Review to urgently strengthen the ADF’s advanced and high-velocity missile defense capabilities.

Mr Conroy said the purchase of the weapons would quickly increase the ADF’s capacity, but stressed that the government was looking at options to produce missiles locally.

“As we enter what many are calling the missile era, these will be vital tools for the ADF to do its job of defending Australians,” he said.

The Australian government will announce on Monday a $1.7 billion investment in new, hi-tech missiles to expand the Australian Defense Force’s strike capability. Pictured: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles are long range guided missiles and have a range of up to 1500 km.

The US State Department approved the sale of $1.3 billion (or 220) Tomahawks in March, saying at the time it was “vital” in the national interest to help Australia “create a strong and ready develop and maintain self-defense skills. ‘

The guided weapons would initially be mounted on the Hobart-class destroyers.

But they could later be installed on the nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines that Australia plans to buy from the US and then build itself over the next decade.

Australia will be only the third defense force to acquire the weapons after the US and UK.

Defense Secretary Richard Marles said it was important for Australia to be able to defend itself in an increasingly tumultuous world landscape.

“We are investing in the capabilities our defense force needs to keep our adversaries in danger further from our shores and keep Australians safe in the complex and uncertain world we live in today,” he said.

The government will also announce the $431 million purchase of more than 60 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) from the US on Monday.

The AARGM-ER uses advanced technologies to identify, locate and attack targets on land and will be used on the Royal Australian Air Force’s Growler and Super Hornet aircraft.

China’s military has become increasingly aggressive in the Asia Pacific in recent years (PLA troops in Beijing pictured)

More than $50 million will also be invested to equip the Australian Army’s Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles with Spike Long-Range 2 anti-tank guided missiles, to give soldiers the ability to attack enemy armor from more than three miles away.

The investment comes from existing defense funding.

Marles said the war in Ukraine has highlighted the importance of “not just war supplies, but a domestic missile production industry.”

The contract to purchase the AARGM-ER has been awarded to Varley Rafael Australia, with Varley Group also presenting options to the government for domestic production of the missiles.