Australia will purchase hypersonic missiles from the United States worth A$2 billion (about $1.3 billion), reports the "Reuters" agency, News.bg reports.
The deal underlines Canberra's firm commitment to defense spending, even as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resists calls from Washington to increase the military budget to 3.5% of GDP. Instead, Australian defense spending is expected to reach 2.3% by 2033.
Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy confirmed that Australia will acquire AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 missiles, developed by US company Raytheon Technologies. They will be used by F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as a new army brigade specializing in destroying air targets at ranges of up to 500 kilometers.
A planned meeting between Albanese and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit was canceled after Trump left early amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said efforts were being made to reschedule the meeting.
Wong, who recently met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, said Australia was pursuing a "capability-based approach" and had already committed to the largest increase in defence spending in peacetime. "I recognise that more capabilities are needed. I think we all understand that - and we will provide the funding," she said.
Last year, in response to China's growing military presence in the region, the Albanese government announced A$74 billion in investment to buy missiles from Europe and the US. Of that, A$21 billion is earmarked to build a local industry for guided weapons and munitions.
In April, the US Congress was informed of the sale of 400 missiles to Australia through the Foreign Military Sales program. An additional $2 billion sale of US electronic warfare systems and equipment for the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18 Growler fighter jets was also announced in June.