The Australian government confirmed on January 3 that it will purchase two advanced missile and rocket systems as a deterrent against any threats to the country’s security in the region.
Since the early spring of this year, negotiations for the acquisition of both the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) have been ongoing. In a statement, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Richard Marles, reaffirmed that the combined cost of the two contracts will be $684 million ($1 billion Australian).
Since the United States began transferring land-based HIMARS launchers to Kyiv last summer, many in Ukraine have noted the positive impact they have had on the war.
The destroyers and frigates of the Australian navy will be equipped with Norwegian-made the sea-skimming Naval Strike Missiles.
According to a statement by Richard Marles, Naval Strike Missiles will start replacing Harpoon missiles aboard Australian warships in 2024, and HIMARS will be part of Australia’s arsenal by 2026–27.
