Australia will acquire long-range strike missiles and other guided weapons to be fielded by the Australian Defence Force in deals worth $1.7 billion.
Those purchases include more than 200 Tomahawk cruise missiles (1,500-kilometre range) from the US for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart Class destroyers for approximately $1.3 billion.
Australia has also approved the $431 million acquisition of more than 60 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) air-to-ground missiles from the US for use on the Royal Australian Air Force’s Growler, Super Hornet and eventually F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
The government has also extended the $50 million contract for Varley Rafael Australia regarding delivery of Spike Long-Range 2 anti-tank guided missiles (five-kilometre range) early next year for use on Australian Army Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles. The Varley Rafael Australia will present options to Government for domestic manufacturing.