Australia strengthens missile defense in response to China’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test.

October 30, 2024 TruthUSA

Australia’s Defence Industry Minister, Pat Conroy, expressed significant concern about the recent ballistic missile test, especially its intrusion into the South Pacific region.

Australia is set to strengthen its missile defense and long-range strike capabilities following China’s recent ICBM test in the South Pacific, as stated by the country’s defense industry minister on Wednesday.

China’s neighboring countries in the Indo-Pacific region raised alarms after the Chinese military conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on Sept. 25.

During a speech at the National Press Club of Australia, Minister Pat Conroy highlighted the emergence of a new Indo-Pacific missile era where missiles are seen as tools of coercion. He announced Australia’s plans to invest approximately AU$18 billion (US$12 billion) in missile defense and collaborate with security partners like the United States, Japan, and South Korea to promote regional stability.

The minister emphasized the strategic competition between the United States and China as a major aspect of Australia’s security landscape, specifically mentioning concerns about the ballistic missile test and its violation of the Treaty of Rarotonga, which designates the Pacific as a nuclear-weapons-free zone.

Australia is deploying SM-6 missiles on its navy destroyer fleet to bolster its ballistic missile defense capabilities.

Australia recently sealed a AU$7 billion (US$4.6 billion) deal with the United States to acquire SM-2 and SM-6 long-range missiles for its navy.

Prior to the September test, China had not launched a long-range missile into the Pacific since 1980.

Analysts have noted that the missile, carrying a dummy warhead, is likely to be China’s newest ICBM, the Dong Feng-41 (DF-41), or an older ICBM, the Dong Feng-31AG. “Dong Feng” translates to “East Wind” in Chinese.

The DF-41 stands as China’s longest-range ICBM, capable of traveling between 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers (7,500 to 9,500 miles). On the other hand, the DF-31AG has a shorter range of 7,000 to 11,700 km (4,300 to 7,300 miles).

Launched on Sept. 25 from an undisclosed location, believed to be around Hainan Island north of the South China Sea, the missile flew around 12,000 km (7,456 miles) and landed close to French Polynesia, including Tahiti.

Beijing upholds a “no-first-use” policy on nuclear weapons and has urged other nuclear powers to make similar commitments. However, analysts doubt the Chinese regime’s adherence to this policy in times of conflict.

China possesses over 500 operational nuclear warheads, of which approximately 350 are ICBMs, and is estimated to surpass 1,000 warheads by 2030, as per the Pentagon’s assessment last year.

On Oct. 30, the Australian government launched initiatives to swiftly advance missile manufacturing and enhance long-range strike capabilities.

The Albanese administration has allocated AU$74 billion ($49 billion) for both domestic missile production and acquisition over the coming decade.

A government report highlighted China’s substantial ballistic missile program growth, including an expanded arsenal of cruise and hypersonic missiles, emphasizing the lack of transparency and strategic trust expected from major powers in the region.

Under the Australian GWEO (Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance) plan, the country aims to establish at least two dedicated guided missile manufacturing facilities by 2029.

The government also plans to set up a munitions factory by the end of the decade to supply the Australian Defence Force with extended-range artillery ammunition.

As per Australia’s government data, China ranks as the nation’s leading trading partner, accounting for 26% of its goods and services trade. Australia adheres to a one-China policy, refraining from recognizing Taiwan as an independent state.

A collective statement delivered by Australia to the United Nations on Oct. 22 addressed ongoing concerns regarding severe human rights violations in China.

On Oct. 23, Australia’s UN ambassador, James Larsen, urged the Chinese Communist Party to uphold human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet.

Lily Zhou and Reuters contributed to this report.

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