Australia reveals why it needs more missiles

Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy today, October 30, revealed plans to increase the country's missile production.

Minister Conroy said Australia would establish a domestic industry to produce long-range guided missiles and other necessary munitions, according to AFP.

“Why do we need more missiles? Strategic competition between the US and China is a key feature of Australia’s security environment. That competition is most acute in our region, the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Conroy stressed.

Rockets are launched from the US Army's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at a firing range in northern Australia during joint exercise 2023.

According to Mr. Conroy, Australia will cooperate with the US defense industry group Lockheed Martin to produce the "Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)" and this is one of the first GMLRS production facilities outside the US.

The $200 million “advanced weapons manufacturing complex” will produce up to 4,000 missiles a year. “This is equivalent to more than a quarter of the current global GMLRS production and more than 10 times the current demand of the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Conroy said.

Australia has also signed a contract with French arms manufacturer Thales to locally produce M795 artillery shells, commonly used in howitzer batteries.

“We all hope that the purchase of new weapons and ammunition is not necessary. But in a world of crisis and chaos, a well-equipped military is an essential part of national defence. In such a context, Australia needs a credible military capability to support its deterrence strategy through anti-access/area denial,” Minister Conroy stressed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/uc-he-lo-ly-do-can-them-ten-lua-185241030110533647.htm