The United States (US) has announced its commitment to assist Australia in manufacturing its first guided missile systems by 2025.
This new development further signifies the robust military alliance between the two countries.
The announcement was made during the joint visit of the US Secretaries of State and Defense to Australia.
Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, in a media conference in Brisbane stated, “We are undertaking mutually beneficial initiatives with the Australian defense industry, and that includes a commitment to assist Australia in manufacturing guided missile launch systems.”
However, Austin did not provide further details on this initiative.
The Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, expressed his satisfaction with the project, with an aim to commence the production of these weapons in Australia by the year 2025.
This statement was made during the Annual Ministerial Dialogue (Ausmin) in Queensland, where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was also present.
Marles, Blinken, along with Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, acknowledged the healthy alliance between the US and Australia. Blinken asserted that this alliance “is stronger than ever”, expressing his gratitude.
The event, however, was overshadowed by the unfortunate incident of four Australian military personnel disappearing after a helicopter crash during joint exercises with the US troops off the Queensland coast.
Both countries’ armed forces have deployed a joint search and rescue team to locate the missing personnel.
The four military personnel were aboard an MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, which crashed into the sea near Hamilton Island, approximately 890 kilometers from Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland.