The United States has promised to help Australia produce new advanced missile systems and upgrade its northern bases after the two nations held annual high-level talks in Brisbane.
Key points:
- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US would be “racing” to give Australia access to advanced munitions
- Starting production of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, developed by Lockheed Martin, would be a “first priority”
- Australia and the US also agreed to closer military cooperation in space, but Defence Minister Richard Marles gave few details
The US will also work with Australia to increase the tempo of rotations for its military forces on this side of the Pacific, as well as bring about closer military cooperation in space.
The announcements were made by Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong in the wake of AUSMIN talks with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Mr Austin said the US would be “racing” to give Australia access to advanced munitions which could be made here, and argued the first priority would be starting production of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System developed by US defence behemoth Lockheed Martin.
“We’re also thrilled to announce that we’re taking steps to enable Australia to maintain, repair and overhaul critical US sourced munitions,” he said.
“Now, that’s an exceptional set of achievements, and it reflects the strength and the ambition of our alliance.”
The Defense Secretary said the United States would also increase the rotation of US army landing craft and maritime surveillance planes through Australia.
“These efforts will bolster deterrence by strengthening our interoperability and enhancing our sustainment and logistics capabilities for critical missions,” he said.
Mr Marles provided few details on enhanced space cooperation, and wouldn’t be drawn on whether it would involve offensive capabilities.
“Space domain awareness will form part of the cooperation that we engage in between our two countries,” he said.
“That will probably be the extent of what any of us will ever say about what else we do in respect of cooperation involving space.”
Assange case has ‘dragged on too long’
Both Antony Blinken and Penny Wong were also asked about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is facing extradition to the United States.
Ms Wong said that she’d again raised Mr Assange’s case with the Americans, and reiterated that the case had “dragged on for too long”.
Mr Blinken responded that he understood the “concerns and views” of Australians, but that the Albanese government also had to understand the position of the US.
“Mr Assange was charged with very serious criminal conduct in the United States in connection with his alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of our country,” he said.
“The actions that he is alleged to have committed risked very serious harm to our national security, to the benefit of our adversaries, and put named human sources at grave risk of physical harm, grave risk of detention.
“So, I say that only because just as we understand sensitivities here, it’s important that our friends understand sensitivities in the United States.”
US helping in ADF search in Queensland
The talks were held as the search continued for four missing Australian Defence Force personnel in North Queensland, feared dead after their Taipan helicopter crashed into waters off Hamilton Island on Friday night.
“The United States is assisting with search and rescue efforts and we will continue to help in any way that we can,” Mr Austin said.
“And I’ve told the deputy prime minister that whatever he needs, we stand ready to provide assistance.”
The sentiment was echoed by the secretary of state.
“Our hearts are full — full of concern for the four Australian servicemen whose helicopter crashed last night,” Mr Blinken said.
“Our hearts are full too because they were performing their duties alongside American servicemen and women.”
Mr Marles said the AUSMIN talks was conducted “with heavy hearts”.